Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So he drove them off. New Living Translation And he threw them out of the courtroom. English Standard Version And he drove them from the tribunal. Berean Standard Bible And he drove them away from the judgment seat. Berean Literal Bible And he drove them from the judgment seat. King James Bible And he drave them from the judgment seat. New King James Version And he drove them from the judgment seat. New American Standard Bible And he drove them away from the judgment seat. NASB 1995 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. NASB 1977 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. Legacy Standard Bible And he drove them away from the judgment seat. Amplified Bible And he drove them away from the judgment seat. Christian Standard Bible So he drove them from the tribunal. Holman Christian Standard Bible So he drove them from the judge’s bench. American Standard Version And he drove them from the judgment-seat. Contemporary English Version Then he sent them out of the court. English Revised Version And he drave them from the judgment-seat. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Gallio had them forced out of his court. Good News Translation And he drove them out of the court. International Standard Version So he drove them away from the judge's seat. NET Bible Then he had them forced away from the judgment seat. New Heart English Bible He drove them from the judgment seat. Webster's Bible Translation And he drove them from the judgment-seat. Weymouth New Testament So he ordered them out of court. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd he drove them away from the judgment seat. World English Bible So he drove them from the judgment seat. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he drives them from the judgment seat; Berean Literal Bible And he drove them from the judgment seat. Young's Literal Translation and he drave them from the tribunal; Smith's Literal Translation And he drave them away from the judgment seat. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he drove them from the judgment seat. Catholic Public Domain Version And he ordered them from the tribunal. New American Bible And he drove them away from the tribunal. New Revised Standard Version And he dismissed them from the tribunal. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he drove them from his judgment seat. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he expelled them from his judgment seat. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he drove them from the judgment-seat. Godbey New Testament And he drove them away from the tribunal. Haweis New Testament And he drove them from the judgment-seat. Mace New Testament upon which he order'd them to withdraw. Weymouth New Testament So he ordered them out of court. Worrell New Testament And he drove them from the judgment-seat. Worsley New Testament And he ordered them away from the tribunal. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul Before Gallio…15But 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.” 16And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17At 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.… Cross References Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” John 19:4-6 Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” / As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.” Luke 23:14-16 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. / Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. / Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” Mark 15:14-15 “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” / And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. John 18:38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. Luke 23:22-25 A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” / But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed. / So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. ... John 19:12-16 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ... Matthew 27:19-24 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.” / But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. / “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied. ... Mark 15:9-15 “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. / For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. / But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. ... John 19:1-3 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. / The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. / And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face. Luke 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” John 18:31 “You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. Matthew 27:11-14 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” ... Mark 15:1-5 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. / So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. ... Luke 23:1-3 Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. / And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” / So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Treasury of Scripture And he drove them from the judgment seat. Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Romans 13:3,4 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: … Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Jump to Previous Court Drave Drove Ejected Judge's Judgment Judgment-Seat Ordered Seat TribunalJump to Next Court Drave Drove Ejected Judge's Judgment Judgment-Seat Ordered Seat TribunalActs 18 1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.9. The Lord encourages him in a vision. 12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed. 18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples. 24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly. And he drove them away This phrase refers to the actions of Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, who dismissed the case brought against Paul by the Jews. Gallio's decision reflects the Roman legal system's tendency to dismiss internal religious disputes as irrelevant to civil law. This act of driving them away signifies a rejection of the Jewish leaders' attempt to use Roman authority to suppress the Christian message. It highlights the protection that Roman law inadvertently provided to early Christians, allowing the gospel to spread without immediate legal hindrance. This moment is pivotal as it demonstrates God's sovereignty in using secular authorities to fulfill His purposes, reminiscent of how God used Cyrus in Isaiah 45:1 to aid His people. from the judgment seat Persons / Places / Events 1. GallioThe proconsul of Achaia, a Roman official who presided over the judgment seat. Known for his impartiality and indifference to religious disputes, Gallio's decision in this passage reflects his disinterest in Jewish law. 2. Paul The apostle who was brought before Gallio by the Jews. Paul was a key figure in spreading Christianity and faced many trials and tribulations for his faith. 3. The Jews A group of Jewish leaders who accused Paul of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. They sought to use the Roman legal system to suppress Paul's teachings. 4. The Judgment Seat (Bema) A raised platform where Roman officials sat to hear and decide cases. It symbolizes authority and justice in the Roman world. 5. Corinth The city where this event took place, known for its diverse population and significant commercial activity. Corinth was a strategic location for Paul's missionary work. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsGallio's decision to dismiss the case against Paul demonstrates God's control over human authorities. Believers can trust that God is at work even in secular institutions. The Importance of Discernment Gallio's ability to discern between civil and religious matters highlights the need for Christians to understand the distinction between spiritual and worldly issues. Courage in the Face of Opposition Paul's experience encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God can use even non-believers to protect His people. The Role of Civil Authorities This passage reminds Christians to respect and pray for those in authority, recognizing their role in maintaining order and justice. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 18:16?2. How does Acts 18:16 demonstrate God's protection over His servants? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Acts 18:16? 4. How does Acts 18:16 connect to Jesus' promise of persecution in John 15:20? 5. How should believers respond when facing unjust treatment, as seen in Acts 18:16? 6. What practical steps can we take to trust God's sovereignty in difficult situations? 7. Why did Gallio dismiss the case against Paul in Acts 18:16? 8. How does Acts 18:16 reflect Roman legal practices of the time? 9. What does Gallio's reaction in Acts 18:16 reveal about religious tolerance in ancient Rome? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 18? 11. Why doesn't 2 Kings 16 emphasize divine judgment on Ahaz's actions as clearly as other Old Testament passages condemn idolatry? 12. If God is just, why does He threaten severe punishment in Ezekiel 16:37-41, yet allow similar injustices elsewhere in the Bible to go unpunished? 13. How could the earth physically open and swallow people as described in Numbers 16:31-33? 14. In 2 Chronicles 18:21-22, how can an all-truthful God justly send a lying spirit to deceive Ahab? What Does Acts 18:16 Mean And• Acts 18:16 opens with “And,” linking directly to Gallio’s statement in v. 15—“I am unwilling to judge such matters.” The conjunction reminds us that Scripture flows in connected thought (Acts 18:12-15; cf. Acts 15:28). • God often weaves together sequential events to fulfill His purposes (Romans 8:28); the “And” signals that what follows is part of His continual, sovereign storyline. He • “He” refers to Gallio, the Roman proconsul. Though a civil ruler, God uses him to protect Paul, showing that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:1; cf. John 19:10-11). • Gallio acts with authority granted by God (Romans 13:1-4). His decision demonstrates the Lord’s ability to employ secular leaders for the good of His people (Ezra 1:1). Drove them away • The phrase pictures decisive action—Gallio did not merely dismiss the case; he forced the accusers to leave. This echoes Psalm 34:7, where the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. • By rejecting the false charge, Gallio unintentionally provides Paul a season of unhindered ministry (Acts 18:11), much like the Gamaliel episode where opponents were advised to “leave these men alone” (Acts 5:38-39). • God’s promise stands: “No weapon formed against you shall prevail” (Isaiah 54:17). The expulsion of the accusers visualizes that protection. From the judgment seat • The “judgment seat” (bēma) was Rome’s official tribunal in Corinth (Acts 18:12). Being thrust from that platform meant the case was completely quashed. • God turns the place of potential condemnation into a stage for vindication (cf. Daniel 6:21-22). Paul later references another bēma—the divine one we all must face (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10), underscoring that earthly verdicts are temporary while God’s judgment is ultimate. • The episode foreshadows Paul’s later appeal to Caesar’s judgment seat (Acts 25:10-11), proving God directs each legal step to advance the gospel. summary Acts 18:16 captures a pivotal, Spirit-orchestrated moment: Gallio, wielding God-granted authority, firmly expels Paul’s accusers from the Roman tribunal, turning a potential legal defeat into protective deliverance. The verse reassures believers that the Lord can use secular powers to safeguard His servants, silence false charges, and keep gospel doors open until His appointed mission is complete. (16) He drove them from the judgment seat.--The words imply a magisterial act. The order was given to the lictors to clear the court, and the Jews, who did not immediately retreat were exposed to the ignominy of blows from their rods.Verse 16. - And he drave them; ἀπήλασεν, found only here in the New Testament or LXX. But it is used by Demosthenes and Plutarch in exactly the same connection: ἀπὸ τοῦ συνεδρίου ἀπὸ τοῦ βήματος (Demosthenes, 1373,12; Plutarch, ' Marcell.,' p. 410, in Schleusner). It implies the ignominious dismissal of the case, without its being even tried. The judgment seat (βῆμα); the proconsular place of judgment. The βῆμα (here and ver. 12) was properly the "raised space," or "tribune," on which, in the case of a consul, proconsul, or praetor, the sella curulis was placed on which he sat and gave judgment. It was usually a kind of apse to the basilica. In Matthew 27:19; John 19:13, and, indeed, here and elsewhere, it seems to be used, generally, for the judgment-seat itself (see Acts 25:10).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andκαὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. he drove ἀπήλασεν (apēlasen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 556: To drive away. From apo and elauno; to dismiss. them {away} αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. judgment seat. βήματος (bēmatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 968: From the base of basis; a step, i.e. Foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e. A tribunal. Links Acts 18:16 NIVActs 18:16 NLT Acts 18:16 ESV Acts 18:16 NASB Acts 18:16 KJV Acts 18:16 BibleApps.com Acts 18:16 Biblia Paralela Acts 18:16 Chinese Bible Acts 18:16 French Bible Acts 18:16 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 18:16 He drove them from the judgment seat (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
    |