Acts 23:4

"Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”"

Key Reflection

Paul’s words are a poignant rebuke, highlighting the hypocrisy of his accuser who, like a whitewashed wall, appeared righteous on the outside but harbored impurity within. By sitting in judgment while disregarding the law himself, this man was exposing his own corruption and the futility of external righteousness without true repentance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. Revilest thou, etc. Dost thou reproach or abuse the high priest of God? It is remarkable that they who knew that he was not the high priest should have offered this language. He was, however, in the place of the high priest, and they might have pretended that respect was due to the office. __________________________________________________________________

More from Acts 23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion