Acts 23:3 - Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

Acts 23:3

1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, ^aI have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him ^ato strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and ^ado you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, ^a“I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ^b‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, ^aI am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; ^bconcerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

<< Acts 23:2

Acts 23:4 >>

Acts 23:3

Thou whited wall (toixe kekoniamene). Perfect passive participle of koniaw (from konia, dust or lime). The same word used in Matthew 23:27 for "whited sepulchres" (tafoi kekoniamenoi) which see. It is a picturesque way of calling Ananias a hypocrite, undoubtedly true, but not a particularly tactful thing for a prisoner to say to his judge, not to say Jewish high priest. Besides, Paul had hurled back at him the word tuptein (smite) in his command, putting it first in the sentence (tuptein se mellei o qeov) in strong emphasis. Clearly Paul felt that he, not Ananias, was living as a good citizen in God's commonwealth.

And sittest thou to judge me? (Kai su kaqh krinwn me) Literally, "And thou (being what thou art) art sitting (kaqh, second person singular middle of kaqhmai, late form for kaqhsai, the uncontracted form) judging me." Cf. Luke 22:30. Kai su at the beginning of a question expresses indignation.

Contrary to the law (paranomwn). Present active participle of paranomew, old verb to act contrary to the law, here alone in the N.T., "acting contrary to the law."

Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 23:3:

Matthew 23:27

<< Acts 23:2

Acts 23:4 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,115+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning