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And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him (officers, bailiffs) to smite
(beat) him on the mouth.

This is illegal. They cannot legally sentence and execute punishment in the courtroom. This
was done with Jesus (Matthew 26:67) and was also illegal (Leviticus 19:35; Deuteronomy 25:1;
John 7:51). Paul knows Jewish law, and this shocks Ananias. Paul loses his temper.

Act 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge
me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?"

Paul charges, “You gave a command to smite me, and God will smite you! God gave you the
law you are using to try me, and you are abusing it.” Paul calls the judge a whitewashed wall.
Whitewash was used to hide stains. This man is using his office to cover corruption and
prejudice. This is a term for being a hypocrite (Matthew 23: 27).

No one has ever called the chief priest a phony, a hypocrite. A judge is supposed to presume a
person innocent until proof has been presented to confirm or contradict his ruling. This judge
has already passed a sentence without evidence.

Act 23:4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?"
This is a shock to Paul. He now realizes how corrupt the Jews have become. This man
represents the highest office a man can have in the nation of Israel. This man is ordering the
corruption of the law. Paul knows that God demands respect for the office even though it may
be filled by a corrupted and evil person (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

Act 23:5 Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written,
'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"

Then said Paul, I wist (knew) not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written (Exodus
22:28), Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Paul understands where he now stands and who he spoke against. The word of God comes into
the scene now. Paul will be submissive and respectful of the office although the man Ananias is
corrupt. This also occurred to the disciples in 5:27-42. They respected the office, but
disobeyed their commands against preaching the Word of God.

Act 23:6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he
cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning
the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried
out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of (concerning) the
hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question (krino: judge, decree, determined).