Acts 23:2

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Acts 23:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

King James Version KJV

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

American Standard Version ASV

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the high priest, Ananias, gave orders to those who were near him to give him a blow on the mouth.

Free Bible Version FBV

Ananias the high priest ordered the officers standing beside Paul to hit him on the mouth.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then the hie Priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mouth.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the chief priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to smite him on the mouth,

World English Bible WEB

The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Translation for Translators T4T

When Ananias the supreme priest heard what Paul said, he commanded the men who were standing near Paul to hit him on the mouth.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 23:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Acts 23:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο δε αρχιερευς ανανιας επεταξεν τοις παρεστωσιν αυτω τυπτειν αυτου το στομα

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

δε de G1161 then Conj

αρχιερευς archiereus G749 high-priest Noun-NSM

ανανιας Ananias G367 Ananias Noun-NSM

επεταξεν epitassō G2004 to command Verb-AAI-3S

τοις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPM

παρεστωσιν paristēmi G3936 to stand by Verb-RAP-DPM

αυτω autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DSM

τυπτειν tuptō G5180 to strike Verb-PAN

αυτου autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GSM

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASN

στομα stoma G4750 mouth Noun-ASN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Acts 23:2

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

αρχιερευς archiereus G749 "high-priest" Noun-NSM

The high-priest was a top Jewish leader, and Jesus is also called the high-priest in Hebrews 2:17 and 3:1. This term refers to the main priest in the Jewish temple. In the Bible, it is used in Mark 2:26 and 14:47.

Definition: ἀρχιερεύς, -έως, ὁ, [in LXX for כּ'' הָרֹאשׁ,כּ'' הַגָּדוֹל ,כּהֵן ;] __1. high-priest: Mrk.2:26 14:47, al.; of Christ: Heb.2:17 3:1, al. __2. In pl., chief priests, including ex-high-priests and members of high-priestly families: Mat.2:4, Mrk.8:31, al. (Cremer, 294; DCG, i, 297f.; MM, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 119 NT verses. KJV: chief (high) priest, chief of the priests See also: Acts 4:6; Luke 3:2; Hebrews 2:17.

ανανιας Ananias G367 "Ananias" Noun-NSM

Ananias was the name of three different Israelites in the Bible, including one from Jerusalem in Acts 5:1 and another from Damascus in Acts 9:10-13. They were all important figures in the early Christian church.

Definition: Ἀνανίας (WH, Ἁναν-), -α, ὁ (Heb. חֲנַנְיָה), Ananias; __1. of Jerusalem: Act.5:1, 3 5:5. __2. Of Damascus: Act.9:10-13, 17 22:12. __3. High Priest: Act.23:2 24:1.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: Ananias See also: Acts 5:1; Acts 9:13; Acts 24:1.

επεταξεν epitassō G2004 "to command" Verb-AAI-3S

To command or give orders to someone, like Jesus commanding the demons in Mark 1:27. This word is about telling someone what to do or giving instructions.

Definition: ἐπι-τάσσω [in LXX for אָמַר, צָוָה, etc. ;] to command, charge: with accusative of thing(s), Luk.14:22; with dative of person(s), Mrk.1:27 9:25, Luk.4:36 8:25; id. with accusative of thing(s), Phm 8; id. with inf., Mrk.6:39, Luk.8:31, Act.23:2; id. with imperat., Mrk.9:25; with accusative and inf., Mrk.6:27.† SYN.: κελεύω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: charge, command, injoin See also: Acts 23:2; Mark 1:27; Philemon 1:8.

τοις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

παρεστωσιν paristēmi G3936 "to stand by" Verb-RAP-DPM

To stand by means to be at hand, aid, or recommend someone, as in Acts 9:41 and Romans 6:13. This verb is about supporting or presenting something or someone, often in a helpful way.

Definition: παρ-ίστημι [in LXX for עָמַד, etc. ;] __I. Transitive verb. in present tense., imperfect., future tense., 1 aorist.; __1. to place beside, present, provide: with accusative, Act.9:41 23:24, 2Co.4:14, Col.1:28; with accusative and dative, Mat.26:53, Luk.2:22, Act.1:3 23:33, 1Co.8:8; before accusative pred., Rom.6:13, 16 (late pres., παριστάνετε), Rom.6:19 12:1, 2Co.11:2, Eph.5:27, Col.1:22, 2Ti.2:15. __2. to present to the mind (cl.) : by argument, to prove (Xen., FlJ, al.), with accusative, Act.24:13. __II. Intransitive. in perfect., pluperfect., 2 aorist.; __1. to stand by or beside one : with dative of person(s), Act.1:10 9:39 23:2 27:23; ptcp., Mrk.14:47, 69-70 15:35, 39 Jhn.18:22 19:26. __2. to appear: with nom. pred., before ἐνώπιον, Act.4:10; with dative of person(s), Act.27:24; so fut. mid. (of. LS, see word, B, ii, 2), Rom.14:10. __3. to be at hand, be present, have come: Act.4:26 (LXX); of servants in attendance, ἐνώπιον τ. θεοῦ, Luk.1:19; absol., οἱ παρεστῶτες, Luk.19:24; before αὐτῷ, Act.23:2, 4; of time, Mrk.4:29 __4. to stand by for help or defence (Hom., Dem., Xen., al.): with dative of person(s), Rom.16:2, 2Ti.4:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 39 NT verses. KJV: assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield See also: 1 Corinthians 8:8; Colossians 1:28; Romans 6:13.

αυτω autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

τυπτειν tuptō G5180 "to strike" Verb-PAN

This Greek word means to strike or beat something repeatedly, like hitting with a stick. It appears in Matthew 24:49 and Luke 12:45. The word is used to describe physical blows.

Definition: τύπτω [in LXX chiefly for hi. ;] to strike, smite, beat: with accusative, Mat.24:49, Mrk.15:19, Luk.12:45, Act.18:17 21:32 23:2-3; of mourners, τὰ στήθη, Luk.18:13 23:48; ἐπὶ τ. σιαγόνα, Luk.6:29; εἰς τ. κεφαλήν, Mat.27:30. Metaphorical, of God inflicting evil: Act.23:3 (cf. Exo.8:2, Eze.7:9, al.); of disquieting conscience, 1Co.8:12.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: beat, smite, strike, wound See also: 1 Corinthians 8:12; Luke 12:45; Matthew 27:30.

αυτου autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

στομα stoma G4750 "mouth" Noun-ASN

The mouth is not just a physical opening, but also a symbol of speech and communication, as seen in Matthew 15:11 and John 19:29. It can also refer to the edge of a sword or other objects.

Definition: στόμα, -τος, τό [in LXX chiefly for פֻּם ;] the mouth: of man, Mat.15:11, Jhn.19:29, Act.11:8, al.; of animals, Mat.17:27, 2Ti.4:17 (fig.), Heb.11:33, Jas.3:3, al.; figuratively, of inanimate things (ποταμοῦ, Hom.), ἤνοιξεν ἡ γῆ τὸ σ., Rev.12:16; σ. μαχαίρας (Heb. חֶרֶב ־פֶּה, Gen.34:26 al.), the edge of the sword, Luk.21:24, Heb.11:34; esp. of the mouth as the organ of speech: opposite to καρδία, Mat.12:34, Rom.10:8, 10; in various phrases (some cl., some resembling Hebrew; cf. Bl., § 40, 9): ἀνοίγειν τ. σ. (see: ἀνοίγω); σ. πρὸς σ. (פֶּה ־אֵל פֶּה Num.12:8; = cl., κατὰ σ., Hdt., al.), face to face, II Jn 12, 3Jn.14; διὰ τοῦ σ. (of the Holy Spirit), Luk.1:70, Act.1:16, al.; ἀπὸ (ἐκ) τοῦ σ. (cf. ἀπὸ σ. εἰπεῖν, Plat., al.), of speaking by word of mouth, Luk.22:71, Act.22:14; δόλος (ψεῦδος) ἐν τ. σ., 1Pe.2:22, Rev.14:5" (LXX) ; metaphorically, ἡ ῥομφαία τοῦ σ., Rev.2:16. By meton., for speech (Soph.): Mat.18:16 (LXX), Luk.19:22 21:15, 2Co.13:1 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 72 NT verses. KJV: edge, face, mouth See also: 1 Peter 2:22; Luke 22:71; Hebrews 11:33.

Study Notes — Acts 23:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 23:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 23:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 23:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 23:2
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 23:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 23:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 23:2
Cambridge Bible on Acts 23:2
Barnes' Notes on Acts 23:2
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 23:2
Sermons on Acts 23:2

Context — Paul before the Sanhedrin

1Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

2At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.” 4But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	John 18:22	When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”
2	Acts 24:1	Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
3	Micah 5:1	Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.
4	1 Kings 22:24	Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”
5	Jeremiah 20:2	he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
6	Matthew 26:67	Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

Acts 23:2 Summary

In this verse, the high priest Ananias orders Paul to be struck on the mouth because he feels threatened by Paul's words. This shows how those in power can sometimes abuse their authority and try to silence those who speak the truth. As followers of God, we can learn from Paul's example to trust in God's justice and to speak the truth boldly, even when it's hard, as encouraged in Psalm 27:1-3 and 1 Peter 3:13-17. We can also remember that God is our protector and defender, as promised in Psalm 121:7-8 and Romans 8:31-39.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the high priest Ananias order those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth?

The high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth because Paul's statement in Acts 23:1, claiming to have conducted himself before God in all good conscience, was perceived as a challenge to the authority of the Sanhedrin, and Ananias saw it as a threat to their power, similar to the reaction of the religious leaders in Matthew 26:57-68 when Jesus was on trial.

Was it right for the high priest to order Paul to be struck?

No, it was not right for the high priest to order Paul to be struck, as this action was a violation of the law and an abuse of power, as Paul himself pointed out in Acts 23:3, and as warned against in Exodus 22:28 and Acts 23:5.

How does this event relate to the broader theme of persecution in the Bible?

This event is part of the larger narrative of persecution in the Bible, where those who follow God are often opposed and mistreated by those in power, as seen in the stories of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60 and Jesus in Matthew 27:1-2, and as warned about in Matthew 10:16-25 and 2 Timothy 3:12.

What can we learn from Paul's response to being struck?

Paul's response to being struck, as seen in Acts 23:3, teaches us to trust in God's justice and to speak the truth boldly, even in the face of adversity, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:30 and 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Reflection Questions

How do I respond when I am mistreated or persecuted for my faith, and what can I learn from Paul's example in this verse?
In what ways can I, like Paul, conduct myself before God in all good conscience, as mentioned in Acts 23:1, and how can I apply this to my own life?
What are some ways that I can trust in God's justice and sovereignty, even when I face difficult circumstances, as seen in this verse and in Psalm 37:1-7?
How can I balance speaking the truth boldly with showing respect for those in authority, as seen in Paul's response to the high priest in Acts 23:3-5?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 23:2

And the high priest Ananias,.... This could not be the same with Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, but rather Ananus his son; though this is more generally thought to be Ananias the son of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 23:2

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 23:2

Them that stood by him; the officers, probably. To smite him on the mouth; thus Micaiah was smote by Zedekiah the false prophet, , and Jeremiah by Pashur, ; and our blessed Lord escaped not this suffering and indignity, . Now this was the rather inflicted on Paul, because of his protesting of his innocency, which did reflect upon the council, as being injurious; but it was indeed no more than what was necessary in his own just defence, and for the glory of the gospel.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 23:2

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Ver. 2. To smite him on the mouth] So when Henry Zutphen, martyr, was bound hard to a ladder and cast into the fire, he no sooner began to pray and to repeat his creed, but one struck him upon the face with his fist, saying, Thou shalt first be burned, and afterwards pray and prate as much as thou wilt: (Acts and Mon.)

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 23:2

(2) The high priest Ananias.—See Note on Acts 22:5. The son of Nebedæus was conspicuous for his cruelty and injustice, and had been sent to Rome as a prisoner to take his trial before Claudius (A.D. 52). He had been acquitted, or at least released, and had returned to Judæa. To him this assertion of a life so utterly unlike his own seemed almost like a personal insult. He fitted the cap, and raged with a brutal cruelty which reminds us of Jeffreys’ treatment of Baxter.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 23:2

Verse 2. The high priest, Ananias] There was a high priest of this name, who was sent a prisoner to Rome by Quadratus, governor of Syria, to give an account of the part he took in the quarrel between the Jews and the Samaritans; see Joseph. Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 6, s. 8; but whether he ever returned again to Jerusalem, says Dr. Lightfoot, is uncertain; still more uncertain whether he was ever restored to the office of high priest; and most uncertain of all whether he filled the chair when Paul pleaded his cause, which was some years after Felix was settled in the government. But Krebs has proved that this very Ananias, on being examined at Rome, was found innocent, returned to Jerusalem, and was restored to the high priesthood; see Joseph. Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 9, s. 2; but of his death I find nothing certain. See Krebs on this place, (Observat. in Nov. Testament. e Flavio Josepho,) who successfully controverts the opinion of Dr. Lightfoot, mentioned at the beginning of this note. There was one Ananias, who is said to have perished in a tumult raised by his own son about five years after this time; see Jos. Antiq. lib. x. cap. 9. War, lib. ii. cap. 17. To smite him on the mouth.] Because he professed to have a good conscience, while believing on Jesus Christ, and propagating his doctrine.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 23:2

2. And the high priest Ananias] This was Ananias the son of Nebedæus. (Joseph. Ant. xx. 5, 2.) In the time of the Emperor Claudius he had been suspended from his office for some offence and sent to Rome (Ant. xx. 6, 2) but afterwards seems to have been held in great reputation in Jerusalem (Ant. xx. 9, 2).to smite him on the mouth] No doubt St Paul’s address, before the high priest gave this order, had extended much beyond the single sentence which St Luke records, and he only preserves for us that which appears to have moved the anger of the authorities, by his claim to have led a life of which in God’s sight he was not ashamed. The action was intended to put a stop to what would be counted the presumptuous language of St Paul.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 23:2

And the high priest Ananias - This Ananias was doubtless the son of Nebedinus (Josephus, Antiq., book 20, chapter 5, section 3), who was high priest when Quadratus, who preceded Felix, was president of Syria.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 23:2

2. Commanded… to smite him—The high priest is left in his passion to inflict the usual Eastern penalty of criminal or impertinent speech upon this servant of Christ, an outrage which will draw forth

Sermons on Acts 23:2

	Sermon	Description
	From Fadus the Procurator to Florus by Flavius Josephus	Under the procuratorship of Albinus, a great sedition arose in Judea, with the high priest Ananus being bold and insolent, leading to the unjust stoning of James, the brother of Je
	Any Man's Lawyer by Aaron Hills	Aaron Hills preaches on the importance of living a holy life without sin, emphasizing the Apostle John's message to younger Christians to aim for complete victory over sin and to w
	Micah 5:1 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the prophetic significance of Micah 5:1, which foretells the suffering of the Messiah, highlighting how the events of Jesus' crucifixion were predetermined b
	Lamentations 3:28 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith reflects on the profound suffering of Christ during His crucifixion, emphasizing that every event was predetermined by God. He highlights Jesus' solitude and silence in
	The Cock Crew by Joshua Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher expresses concern over the decline of morality in society and the loss of the moral voice. He shares a personal story of a surgeon who went back to the
	Christ a Man of Sorrows. by Edward Payson	Edward Payson preaches on the prophetic description of the character, life, and sufferings of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53, emphasizing how Christ truly bore our griefs and sorrows, e
	An Awful Contrast by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon delivers a powerful sermon titled 'An Awful Contrast,' reflecting on the profound humiliation of Christ as he faced contempt from the high priest Caiaphas and the rel