12 However, during the time when Gallio18:12. Gallio was the brother of Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher. was the governor of Achaia, the Jews united in an attack against Paul and brought him before the court.18:12. Literally, "judgment seat," or "judge’s bench." Also in 18:16-17. 13 "This man is persuading people to worship God illegally," they declared.
14 But just as Paul was about to defend himself, Gallio told the Jews, "If you Jews were bringing criminal charges or some serious legal offense, there would be a reason for me to listen to your case. 15 But since you’re only arguing over words and names and your own law, then you deal with it yourselves. I won’t rule on such matters." 16 Then Gallio had them ejected from the court. 17 Then the crowd turned on Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right outside the court, but Gallio wasn’t concerned about this at all.