Acts 23:1-5 - I have fulfilled my duty to God

23:1,2

Paul now speaks again, beginning in what seems a conciliatory manner, claiming that he had fulfilled his duty to God, and had a clear conscience in all that he had done. However, these words drew a strike on the mouth from the high priest Ananias, or at least from one of the others on the order of Ananias. Why was this? This seems a rather odd way for the high priest to act. Well, this high priest had a reputation, and not a good one. So he most definitely did not have a clear conscience. And when our guilt is shown up we tend to react irrationally and with violence. This is what the high priest did.

23:3-5

Paul remained calm. He was actually quite used to suffering violent attacks. He referred to Ananias as a “whitewashed wall”, this reminds us of Jesus’ words in Matt 23:27. The priest had clearly violated the Law, the Law he was meant to uphold. The others then berate Paul for insulting the high priest. Paul responds in rather mocking terms, claiming he did not know that he was the high priest. He certainly was not acting like a high priest. When those in power, be it in the church or in society at large, we should not be surprised at their ungodly behaviour. And we should not acts as if everyone is an upright citizen.