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Chapter 23
Verse 23

Acts 23:4

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

American Standard Version (1901)

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

Bible in Basic English

And those who were near said, Do you say such words against God's high priest?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they that stood by said: Dost thou revile the high priest of God?

Free Bible Version

The officers standing beside Paul said, “How dare you insult the high priest!”

Geneva Bible 1599

And they that stood by, sayd, Reuilest thou Gods hie Priest?

King James (Authorized) Version

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

Plain English Version

The men that were standing near Paul said, “You are saying something bad to God’s man, the big boss of our Jewish ceremonies. You can’t do that.”

Translation for Translators

The men who were standing near Paul rebuked him. They said, “Are not you (sg) afraid to insult God’s servant, our supreme priest?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Those who stood by said, “Is this how you insult God's high priest?”

Noah Webster Bible

And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

World English Bible

Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”

Young's Literal Translation

And those who stood by said, 'The chief priest of God dost thou revile?'

Context

Paul before the Sanhedrin

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!”

Summary

In Acts 23:4, the high priest Ananias orders those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. This action was a violation of Jewish law, as it was unlawful to strike someone before they were found guilty. Paul's response to this unjust treatment demonstrates his commitment to speaking the truth and standing up for his beliefs, even in the face of persecution. This verse highlights the challenges and opposition faced by early Christians for their faith, yet it also showcases Paul's unwavering courage and dedication to spreading the Gospel despite the hardships he endured.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they that stood by,.... The members of the sanhedrim that were next to the apostle; or the servants of the high priest, since they are said to stand, whereas those of that court sat: said, revilest thou God's high priest? which seems to confirm that the apostle's words were not a bare prediction, but an imprecation, since they are charged with reproaching, reviling, and speaking evil of him; and the aggravation of which was not only that the person reviled was a priest, an high priest, but an high priest of God; though this could not have been proved, for there was now no high priest of God but Jesus Christ; the priesthood was changed and abrogated, and there were no more high priests among men of God's appointing and approving.

Acts 23:4

Paul before the Sanhedrin

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!”

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

American Standard Version (1901)

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

Bible in Basic English

And those who were near said, Do you say such words against God's high priest?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they that stood by said: Dost thou revile the high priest of God?

Free Bible Version

The officers standing beside Paul said, “How dare you insult the high priest!”

Geneva Bible 1599

And they that stood by, sayd, Reuilest thou Gods hie Priest?

King James (Authorized) Version

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

Plain English Version

The men that were standing near Paul said, “You are saying something bad to God’s man, the big boss of our Jewish ceremonies. You can’t do that.”

Translation for Translators

The men who were standing near Paul rebuked him. They said, “Are not you (sg) afraid to insult God’s servant, our supreme priest?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Those who stood by said, “Is this how you insult God's high priest?”

Noah Webster Bible

And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

World English Bible

Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”

Young's Literal Translation

And those who stood by said, 'The chief priest of God dost thou revile?'