Acts 18:17

17 Then they all^[a] seized Sosthenes,^[b] the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the judge's bench. But none of these things concerned Gallio.

Acts 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 18:17

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes
These were not the Greeks or Gentiles that were devout persons, or converted to Christianity, and were on the side of Paul, and fell foul on Sosthenes, as being his chief accuser; for this is not agreeably to the spirit and character of such persons, but the profane and unconverted Greeks, who observing that Gallio sent the Jews away, with some resentment and contempt, were encouraged to fall upon the principal of them, and use him in a very ill manner; it is very likely that this person was afterwards converted, and is the same that is mentioned in ( 1 Corinthians 1:1 ) . The name is Greek, and there is one of this name mentioned among the executors of Plato's will ^F23. This man was now

chief ruler of the synagogue;
chosen in, very likely, upon Crispus becoming a Christian, and being baptized:

and beat him before the judgment seat;
of Gallio; before he and his friends could get out of court:

and Gallio cared for none of these things;
which might not be owing to any sluggishness in him, but to an ill opinion he had of the Jews, as being a turbulent and uneasy people, and therefore he connived at some of the insolencies of the people towards them; though it did not become him, as a magistrate, to act such a part, whose business it was to keep the public peace, to quell disorders, to protect men's persons, and property, and prevent abuse and mischief, and to correct and punish for it. The Arabic version renders it, "and no man made any account of Gallio"; they did not fear his resentment, he having drove the Jews from the judgment seat.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 Laert. l. 3. in Vita Platon.

Acts 18:17 In-Context

15 But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I don't want to be a judge of such things."

16 So he drove them from the judge's bench.

17 Then they all seized Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the judge's bench. But none of these things concerned Gallio.

18 So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae, because he had taken a vow.

19 When they reached Ephesus he left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and engaged in discussion with the Jews.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other mss read Then all the Greeks
• [b]. 1 Co 1:1