Acts 18:17

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things. Acts 18:17

Gallio just drove from his judgment seat those who made a petition against Paul. With that noted, it next says, “Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes.”

Some manuscripts do not say Greeks. Further, the verb is an aorist participle. So, it either says –

“And all the Greeks, having taken Sosthenes...”

Or,

“And all, having taken Sosthenes...”

It is not necessary to take this person as being the same Sosthenes mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1. It is not impossible that it is so, but if it is the same person, he would have had to have converted after the events that now take place. At this time, he is noted as “the ruler of the synagogue.”

The meaning is that either the Jews turned on their own synagogue ruler, which is hard to figure out why they would do this, or that the Greeks came against him for having brought a case forward against Paul when it was obvious he had done nothing wrong. The latter seems more likely and it is from this perspective that the words will be evaluated.

Paul had been in the area for a year and a half and he would have been known as a man of integrity and uprightness. He associated with the Gentiles, did not expect them to be circumcised or converted, and proclaimed the message of salvation to all freely.  On the other hand, the Jews distanced themselves from the people, expecting converts to become Jews. In seeing the Jews’ treatment of Paul, they took their ruler, “and beat him.”

The verb is imperfect. To give the sense of the action, “were beating him” or “began to beat him” would be preferable. The Greeks seized him and started pounding on him for his failed accusations against Paul. And this was done “before the judgment seat.”

Whether these Greeks were converts or not, and whether they knew Paul personally or not, it is evident that they were not fans of the Jews. Charges had been brought against Paul, the charges accused him of something that was untrue and that had nothing to do with Gallio’s jurisdiction, and the Greeks who witnessed the matter were miffed at what they had seen. But more, one gets the sense that Gallio was thoroughly fed up with them and their conduct.

The Greeks, seizing upon this, realized that nothing would be done if they beat Sosthenes up, even right in front of Gallio. This they did, but Luke next notes, “But Gallio took no notice of these things.” Again, the verb is imperfect, “And Gallio was not caring about these things.”

Although nothing is stated in the text about the reaction of the Jews to Gallio’s decision, because all people react to such things in their own way, it can be speculated that the Jews showed disdain for the ruling, even if they didn’t verbally state it. The Greeks, being fully aware of what transpired and probably seeing the negative attitude of the Jews after Gallio had decided, were moved to teach them a lesson. Gallio was indifferent to this and so Sosthenes got a pounding.

Life application: In Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 it says –

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9

“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.” Revelation 3:9

The Bible says that all people are either under the dominion of the devil or they are under the rule of Christ. There are no other options. To this day, the Jews have rejected Jesus as a nation, even if there are individually believing Jews. Any synagogue that gathers in the world that is not one directed to Jesus is, by default, a synagogue of Satan. Those in attendance are no closer to God than a gathering of Hindus, Muslims, or Buddhists.

Jesus’ point is that those in synagogues who have not come to Him still claim that they are the true worshippers of God. They rely on Moses, the Talmud, Jewish tradition, etc., claiming that they have the true and proper worship of the Lord. But they have rejected Jesus and so He rejects them. He told them this explicitly –

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:44-47

Sosthenes got a good whooping in this life. And unless he later came to Jesus, he will bow before those he persecuted in the next. This will be true of all who have persecuted saved believers in Christ. When you read about those martyred for their faith, or if you are persecuted for your faith, know with all surety that those wrongs will be made right. Jesus will reward those who are His faithful, and He will repay those who have persecuted His own.

Lord God, we have a job to do while we are here. Urge us to talk to all who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus. Whether Jew or Gentile, if they have not accepted His gospel, they cannot be pleasing to You. May we be bold in telling others about what He has done and the gift of grace that is extended to all because of it. Help us to speak out while there is time. Amen.