23:1-3
Paul addressed the Sanhedrin claiming to have a clear conscience before God, having fulfilled his duty to God. Paul does not mean that he is perfect, but that his work among the Gentiles was all part of God’s plan, it was God’s work. The high priest acted in the time honoured manner instructing those near Paul to strike him. This was typical of the Sanhedrin’s reaction to anyone who went against their ways (John 18:22). Paul responded by calling them whitewashed walls, reminding us of the time that Jesus called likened them to whitewashed tombs (Matt 23:27). In fact the Sanhedrin were contravening the very Law they claimed to be so zealous about upholding. They would come under God’s judgement. We perhaps see a similar reaction today to anyone who dares to question the LGBT agenda. They are immediately accused of being homophobic or transphobic all in the name of diversity and tolerance, yet the liberal elite are the often the most intolerant people on earth.
23:4,5
Paul was berated for supposedly insulting God’s high priest. Paul’s response should perhaps be read as being said with a degree of sarcasm when he quotes Ex 22:28 to them. Perhaps he is demonstrating that he has a better knowledge of the Law than they do.
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