Acts 23 4

Acts 23:4 kjv

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

Acts 23:4 nkjv

And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?"

Acts 23:4 niv

Those who were standing near Paul said, "How dare you insult God's high priest!"

Acts 23:4 esv

Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?"

Acts 23:4 nlt

Those standing near Paul said to him, "Do you dare to insult God's high priest?"

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 4 Meaning

The verse states that Paul, although aware of Ananias's high priestly role, addresses him as "You whitewashed wall!" and questions how he can sit to judge according to the law. This reveals Paul's strong conviction and indignation at what he perceives as hypocrisy. Ananias, though high priest, was known for his corruption. Paul's sharp retort highlights the incongruity of such a person presiding over a judgment based on divine law.

Acts 23 4 Context

Paul is in Jerusalem and has just been arrested by the Romans after being accused of inciting a riot and defiling the temple. The Jews form a conspiracy to kill him. To avoid conflict, the Roman commander Claudius Lysias sends Paul under guard to Caesarea to appear before Governor Felix. Before leaving Jerusalem, Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court) where the confrontation in this verse occurs. Ananias, the high priest at the time, presides over the council. The ensuing conflict leads to the Sanhedrin being dispersed, and Paul is again taken into protective custody by the Romans.

Acts 23 4 Word Analysis

• But ( δὲ - de): A conjunction, often adversative, introducing a contrast. Here, it contrasts Paul’s earlier submission with his sharp response.

• Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The Apostle Paul.

• seeing (βλέπων - blepōn): Present participle of blepō, meaning "to see," "to perceive," "to consider." Paul perceives Ananias's position.

• him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers to Ananias.

• said (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist indicative of legō, meaning "to say," "to speak." Paul spoke.

• You (Σύ - Sy): Second person singular pronoun, direct address.

• are (εἶ - ei): Second person singular present indicative of eimi, meaning "to be."

• whitewashed (κιττοῦ – kittou): Genitive singular of kittos, from the Greek verb kittaō, meaning "to daub over with whitewash." Refers to a coating of white lime.

• wall (τοῖχε - toiche): Vocative singular of toichos, meaning "wall." Addresses Ananias as a "wall."

• and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.

• You (σὺ – sy): Second person singular pronoun, direct address.

• commandest (ἐπιτάσσῃ – epittassei): Second person singular present indicative of epittassō, meaning "to command," "to order." Paul accuses Ananias of commanding.

• me (με – me): First person singular pronoun, accusative case.

• to (εἰς – eis): Preposition, often indicating "into," "to."

• be struck (τύπτεσθαι – tullesthai): Present passive infinitive of tuptō, meaning "to strike," "to beat," "to smite." To be struck.

• the (τὸ - to): Definite article.

• law (νόμον – nomon): Accusative singular of nomos, meaning "law." Refers to the Jewish Law.

• violating (παρανομῶν – paranomōn): Present participle of paranomeō, meaning "to transgress," "to violate (the law)." Paul states Ananias is violating the law.

• You (σὺ – sy): Second person singular pronoun, direct address.

• sit (κάθησαι – kathisai): Second person singular present indicative middle/passive of kathizō, meaning "to cause to sit," "to sit." Paul observes Ananias sitting in a position of authority.

• to (κρίνων – krinōn): Present participle of krino, meaning "to judge," "to decide." Ananias is sitting to judge.

• judge (με – me): Accusative singular of ego, "me." The object of the judgment.

• Groups of words analysis:

  • "whitewashed wall" (κιττῷ τοῖχε - kittō toiche): This is a vivid metaphor. Whitewashed walls appear clean and pure on the outside but conceal decay or structural weakness within. This was a common saying, later echoed by Jesus in Matthew 23:27, referring to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Paul is thus accusing Ananias of outward religious propriety while being corrupt internally.
  • "You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law": This is the core of Paul’s accusation. Ananias is acting as a judge under the authority of the Law of Moses, but his action of ordering Paul to be struck without a proper trial is itself a violation of that very law. This highlights a fundamental hypocrisy – administering justice while acting unjustly.

Acts 23 4 Bonus Section

The term "whitewashed wall" resonates with Old Testament prophetic denouncements of false prophets and corrupt leaders who maintained an outward show of piety while inwardly being wicked. The act of ordering Paul to be struck without due process was a direct violation of Jewish legal procedure, which typically required charges to be presented and examined before punishment. Ananias’s later historical reputation and the timing of his actions further corroborate Paul’s assessment. This incident also foreshadows the adversarial relationship Paul would have with corrupt Jewish authorities and Roman officials as he continued his ministry.

Acts 23 4 Commentary

Paul's impassioned declaration reveals the stark reality of his situation and the character of his accusers. The high priest Ananias, despite his position, was known for his greed and cruelty. Paul, empowered by the Holy Spirit, sees through the façade and confronts the injustice with a sharp rebuke. This incident underscores the conflict between divine truth and human corruption, even within religious institutions. Paul’s act, though appearing disrespectful, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to righteousness and his ability to discern the spirit of his accusers. It also illustrates that sometimes, the truth needs to be spoken plainly, even to those in authority, when they act against the very principles they claim to uphold.