Acts 18:12

Gallio. His full name originally was Marcus Annaeus Novatus, but upon being adopted by a wealthy Roman named Lucius Junius Gallio, he was thereafter known as Junius Annaeus Gallio. He was the brother of the Stoic philosopher Seneca, the tutor of Nero. Seneca dedicated to his brother, the proconsul, two treatises, on “Anger” and the “Blessed Life.” Gallio was probably proconsul of Achaia sometime between A.D. 51 and 53 (see p. 98). After he retired from Achaia in consequence of an attack of fever (Seneca Epistles civ. 1), he returned to Rome. At first he enjoyed the favor of Nero, but eventually fell under the tyrant’s displeasure and, according to one tradition, was executed by him. Another tradition represents him as anticipating his fate by suicide. Tacitus, however, speaks of him only as “dismayed by the death of his brother Seneca” and pleading with Nero for his life (Annals xv. 73; Loeb ed., Tacitus, vol. 4, p. 333). Deputy. Rather, “proconsul” (see on ch. 13:7). Here also Luke shows his characteristic accuracy in the use of official titles. Under Tiberius, Achaia, which included the whole of Greece south of the province of Macedonia, had been an imperial province, and was therefore governed by a procurator. But about A.D. 44 it had once more been made a senatorial province by Claudius, as it no longer needed direct military control (Tacitus Annals i. 76; Suetonius Lives of the Caesars v. 25.3). Hence at the time of Paul’s visit it once more was ruled by a proconsul. Jews made insurrection. Rather, “rose up.” The word “insurrection” has acquired, since the KJV was translated, the special meaning of a revolt of subjects against their rulers. This is not what took place here. The Jews evidently hoped that by appearing in a body against Paul, they could obtain the apostle’s expulsion from the city. Judgment seat. It was customary for the Roman governors of provinces to hold court in the agora, or forum, that is, the market place, on certain fixed days (see on ch. 19:38), so that anyone might appeal to them to have his grievances satisfied. The Jews apparently took advantage of such an occasion. But to Gallio they would appear to be a company of Jews accusing one of their own race of some erroneous teaching. If he had only lately come from Rome, he had likely heard there of the troubles over “Chrestus” (see on ch. 18:2) and would consider that this was a quarrel about the same matter. See illustrations facing pp. 448, 449.