Acts 23:2
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
3 of 12
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρεστῶσιν
them that stood by
G3936
παρεστῶσιν
them that stood by
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
7 of 12
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τύπτειν
to smite
G5180
τύπτειν
to smite
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
9 of 12
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
John 18:22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?Acts 24:1And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.1 Kings 22:24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?Micah 5:1Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
Historical Context
Ananias, high priest from AD 47-59, was known for violence and corruption. Josephus records he was eventually assassinated by Jewish zealots. His behavior here exemplifies the religious leadership's decline from biblical standards.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when religious authorities themselves violate the principles they claim to uphold?
- What does this teach about distinguishing between respecting godly leadership and condoning corrupt authority?
Analysis & Commentary
Ananias's command to strike Paul on the mouth violated Jewish law requiring fair hearing before judgment (Leviticus 19:15). This illegal violence revealed the Sanhedrin's corruption and prejudice. The high priest, who should have modeled righteousness, instead demonstrated the moral bankruptcy of the religious establishment that had rejected the Messiah.