Devine Scripture

Acts 23:2

What does Acts 23:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 23:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 23:2 means

The high priest Ananias immediately orders those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. This summary, heavy-handed response exposes the council’s bias and injustice. Instead of weighing Paul’s claim with fairness, the high priest silences him by violence. Such an action deviates from proper legal procedure, which should have protected an uncondemned man from assault. The blow on the mouth aims to shame and muzzle Paul, as if his words were presumptuous. Yet this very act undercuts the council’s claim to uphold the law. Luke shows the contrast between Paul’s appeal to conscience before God and the high priest’s rash, authoritarian suppression.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to smite his mouth.

Context

Paul’s opening claim to a good conscience is not tolerated; it sparks an act of aggression led by the highest religious authority present. This immediate hostility frames the entire hearing as unjust from the start. The strike raises a moral question: who truly honors the law? In the next verse, Paul will call out the hypocrisy of being judged by the law while being treated contrary to it. The incident quickly escalates tensions and unveils the deeper spiritual conflict, which will soon be complicated by party divisions within the council itself.

v.1And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.

v.2This passage

v.3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Micah 5:1

    Now shalt thou 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.

  • Acts 24:1

    And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, andwithan orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.

  • 1 Kings 22:24

    Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee?

  • Jeremiah 20:2

    Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah.

  • Matthew 26:67

    Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,

  • John 18:22

    And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

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