Acts 18:17

The Greeks. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading, “they all took Sosthenes.” Took. Rather, “seized” (cf. chs. 16:19; 17:19). The same verb is also used in ch. 21:30 of the violent action of the mob at Jerusalem, and just afterward (v. 33), of the chief captain’s conduct in rescuing Paul. Sosthenes. The name was common; he need not be identified with the Sosthenes mentioned in 1 Cor. 1:1, though it is possible that the leader of persecution was afterward converted, even as in the case of Paul himself. Chief ruler. Omit “chief,” as in v. 8. Sosthenes was apparently made the ruler of the synagogue after Crispus’ conversion (v. 8). He may have been eager to show his zeal against the Christians by laying charges immediately against Paul before the proconsul. As spokesman, he would catch the eye of the surrounding crowd, many of whom would be Greeks. They evidently caught Gallio’s tone of contempt, and followed his adverse decision by a lesson of their own, and a rough one. Or it may be that the Jews turned on their new leader after his failure in the case (see above under “the Greeks”). Paul doubtless had not a few sympathizers among the Gentiles. In any case, the crowd singled out Sosthenes for their particular attention. Beat him. Or, “began beating him.” Gallio cared for none of those things. Rather, “none of these things was a care to Gallio.” Gallio’s declaration reflects the indifference of men of the world toward revealed truth. But the words did not mean necessarily that he was indifferent to religion. He recognized the bounds of his proper jurisdiction. His ruling must have set a precedent helpful to the spread of Christianity. Concerning the way Jewish life was regarded by the Romans (cf. v. 14) see Vol. V, pp. 60-62; Vol. VI, pp. 59, 60.