Both Jews and Greeks had waited eagerly for Gallio's decision; and his immediate dismissal of the case, as one that had no bearing upon the public interest, was the signal for the Jews to retire, baffled and angry. The proconsul's decided course opened the eyes of the clamorous crowd who had been abetting the Jews. For the first time during Paul's labors in Europe, the mob turned to his side; under the very eye of the proconsul, and without interference from him, they violently beset the most prominent accusers of the apostle. "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." Thus Christianity obtained a signal victory. 254

Både jøder og grækere havde spændt afventet Gallios afgørelse, og hans øjeblikkelige afvisning af sagen som en, der ikke havde noget krav på offentlig interesse, fik jøderne til at trække sig tilbage, både skuffede og vrede. Statholderens bestemte fremgangsmåde ombestemte den larmende hob, der havde støttet jøderne. For første gang under Paulus virksomhed i Europa gik skarerne over på hans side; i statholderens påsyn og uden at han blandede sig i det, overfaldt de den mest fremtrædende af apostlens anklagere. "Så greb de alle fat i synagogeforstanderen Sostenes og slog løs på ham lige foran domstolen; men alt dette tog Gallio sig ikke af." Som følge af alt dette vandt kristendommen en afgørende sejr.