Acts 23:4
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρεστῶτες
they that stood by
G3936
παρεστῶτες
they that stood by
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
3 of 9
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
Τὸν
G3588
Τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέα
high priest
G749
ἀρχιερέα
high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
6 of 9
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Ananias son of Nedebaeus served as high priest AD 47-59, known for greed and violence. Josephus records his corruption and theft of tithes from common priests. He was later assassinated by sicarii at the war's outbreak (AD 66). The Sanhedrin setting required decorum, making Paul's outburst shocking to observers.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance respect for authority with obligation to confront injustice and corruption?
- When does defending institutional dignity become complicity with institutional sin?
Analysis & Commentary
Revilest thou God's high priest? (λοιδορεῖς, loidoreis, to insult/revile)—The bystanders rebuked Paul for calling Ananias a 'whited wall' (v. 3), considering this disrespectful to the high priest's office. Their question appeals to religious propriety even while tolerating judicial injustice—Ananias had ordered Paul struck illegally, violating Roman and Jewish law by punishing before conviction. The irony is profound: they defended the dignity of an office occupied by a corrupt man who commanded lawless violence.
This confrontation reveals tension between respecting God-ordained authority and confronting its abuse. Paul's bold denunciation echoed Jesus calling Pharisees 'whitewashed tombs' (Matthew 23:27). The Greek present tense suggests ongoing reviling, implying Paul's statement was seen as sustained disrespect rather than momentary reaction.