Acts 18:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπιλαβόμενοι
took
G1949
ἐπιλαβόμενοι
took
Strong's:
G1949
Word #:
1 of 18
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἕλληνες
the Greeks
G1672
Ἕλληνες
the Greeks
Strong's:
G1672
Word #:
5 of 18
a hellen (grecian) or inhabitant of hellas; by extension a greek-speaking person, especially a non-jew
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχισυνάγωγον
the chief ruler of the synagogue
G752
ἀρχισυνάγωγον
the chief ruler of the synagogue
Strong's:
G752
Word #:
8 of 18
director of the synagogue services
ἔτυπτον
and beat
G5180
ἔτυπτον
and beat
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
9 of 18
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
ἔμπροσθεν
him before
G1715
ἔμπροσθεν
him before
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
10 of 18
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βήματος·
the judgment seat
G968
βήματος·
the judgment seat
Strong's:
G968
Word #:
12 of 18
a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
for none
G3762
οὐδὲν
for none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
14 of 18
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
τούτων
of those things
G5130
τούτων
of those things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
15 of 18
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Sosthenes apparently succeeded Crispus as synagogue ruler. If he is the same Sosthenes Paul later calls 'brother' (1 Corinthians 1:1), this beating may have contributed to his eventual conversion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes use opposition's failure to advance His purposes?
- What might have changed Sosthenes from persecutor to brother in Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
'Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat.' Mob violence turned on the accusers. Sosthenes may later have converted (1 Corinthians 1:1). 'Gallio cared for none of those things' - Roman indifference to Jewish internal affairs.