12While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, [18:13] saying, "This man persuades people to worship God contrary to the law." [18:14] But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious villainy, O Jews, I would have reason to put up with you. [18:15] But if it is questions about a word and names and your own law, see to it yourselves — I am not willing to be a judge of these things." [18:16] And he drove them away from the judgment seat. [18:17] Then they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But none of these things concerned Gallio.
ACT 18:12-17
Paul before Gallio
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman province of Achaia, Gallio, the proconsul, held judicial authority, embodying Roman law and order. The Jews brought Paul before Gallio’s , the raised platform symbolizing Roman judicial power, accusing him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. This accusation framed Paul’s actions as a threat to public order, a serious charge in Roman eyes. Gallio’s response reflects Roman pragmatism: he dismisses the case as an internal Jewish dispute over words, names, and their law, refusing to adjudicate religious matters unless they involve clear criminal acts . This mirrors Rome’s general policy of tolerating local customs unless they disrupted the Pax Romana. For the Jewish accusers, this was a strategic failure; they sought Roman intervention to suppress Paul’s teachings but were rebuffed. For Paul, Gallio’s indifference was a tacit protection, allowing him to continue his mission without Roman interference.
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How other translations render this
ACT 18:12
- KJV
- And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
- BSB
- While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
- Koinōnos
- While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
ACT 18:13
- KJV
- Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
- BSB
- “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
- Koinōnos
- saying, "This man persuades people to worship God contrary to the law.
ACT 18:14
- KJV
- And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
- BSB
- But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
- Koinōnos
- But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious villainy, O Jews, I would have reason to put up with you.
ACT 18:15
- KJV
- But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
- BSB
- But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
- Koinōnos
- But if it is questions about a word and names and your own law, see to it yourselves — I am not willing to be a judge of these things.
ACT 18:16
- KJV
- And he drave them from the judgment seat.
- BSB
- And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
- Koinōnos
- And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
ACT 18:17
- KJV
- Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
- BSB
- At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
- Koinōnos
- Then they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But none of these things concerned Gallio.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 18:12
- rose up:The word translated 'rose up' here implies a hostile, aggressive action, suggesting they attacked Paul rather than simply standing against him.
- judgment seat,:The term 'judgment seat' refers to a raised platform from which officials, like Gallio, would preside over legal proceedings and deliver judgments.
ACT 18:13
- persuades:The word translated 'persuades' can carry a negative connotation, implying a deceptive or misleading form of persuasion, rather than simply convincing someone.
ACT 18:14
- or:The word translated 'or' is actually a term meaning 'villainy' or 'misdeed,' indicating a serious crime or wicked act, not a conjunction.