Acts 23:3
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 26
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
3 of 26
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 26
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 26
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
τύπτεσθαι
smite
G5180
τύπτεσθαι
smite
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
7 of 26
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
μέλλει
shall
G3195
μέλλει
shall
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
9 of 26
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κάθῃ
sittest
G2521
κάθῃ
sittest
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
16 of 26
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
19 of 26
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
21 of 26
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρανομῶν
contrary to the law
G3891
παρανομῶν
contrary to the law
Strong's:
G3891
Word #:
23 of 26
to be opposed to law, i.e., to transgress
Historical Context
A 'whited wall' referred to a wall whitewashed to hide structural defects, symbolizing outward religious appearance covering inner corruption. Paul's prophecy of divine judgment on Ananias proved accurate - he died violently in AD 66.
Questions for Reflection
- When is righteous anger at injustice appropriate, and how do you express it without sin?
- How do you discern between respecting authority and confronting corruption, especially in religious contexts?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's rebuke - 'God shall smite thee, thou whited wall' - echoed Jesus's condemnation of hypocritical leaders (Matthew 23:27). The charge of sitting to judge 'after the law' while commanding to strike Paul 'contrary to the law' exposed stunning hypocrisy. Paul's righteous anger at injustice, especially when cloaked in religious authority, reflected Jesus's own confrontations with corrupt leaders.