This is jEdit5.2pre1 on Mac OS X (Mavericks) and Java 7u55, German keyboard.
The buffer switcher does not accept cursor key events. This is specific to the Apple L&F, there is no problem with Metal.
In Apple L&F the buffer switcher looks a bit odd, as if from a different L&F and not really Apple.
Steps to reproduce from bug 3885
Steps to reproduce:
1) In Preference -> Shortcuts, assign a shortcut to "Focus on Buffer Switcher" (I use esc for this)
2) In Preference -> View, make sure the "Show buffer switcher" is enabled.
3) Now open at least two files, and press the assigned shortcut. The up / down arrow key won't work to choose file in the switcher. (But this works in previous stable version)
For now, before this is fixed, I will assign the shortcut to "Buffer Switcher" instead.
Problem solved in #3889.