And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Paul stood before the Jewish council, facing hostile Pharisees, when he declared that he had lived with a good conscience before God and kept standing for the cause he served. After that declaration the high priest Ananias commanded those standing by Paul to strike him on the mouth, because his calm claim and words of truth angered his accusers and threatened their cause. Rather than answer the truth, the leaders used force to silence him. The command was inhuman and contrary to the law, because Paul was being judged under the law although he had not been shown guilty.
Paul answered with indignation, rebuking Ananias for sitting to judge him according to the law while commanding him to be struck unlawfully, and denouncing his hypocrisy. That denunciation was a Spirit-inspired prophetic judgment that was later fulfilled when Ananias was murdered during the Jewish war. His indignant answer showed he had not yet become as meek and lowly as his Master. For Christ, when mocked, struck on the face, blindfolded, and taunted to name who struck Him, endured cruelty without retaliation and declared He came not to judge and crush the world but to save, heal, uplift, ennoble, and bless it. In this scene Paul exemplifies continuing steadfastly in his cause without being turned aside by opposition or persecution.
Paul stood before the Jewish council, facing hostile Pharisees, when he declared that he had lived with a good conscience before God and kept standing for the cause he served. After that declaration the high priest Ananias commanded those standing by Paul to strike him on the mouth, because his calm claim and words of truth angered his accusers and threatened their cause. Rather than answer the truth, the leaders used force to silence him. The command was inhuman and contrary to the law, because Paul was being judged under the law although he had not been shown guilty.
Paul answered with indignation, rebuking Ananias for sitting to judge him according to the law while commanding him to be struck unlawfully, and denouncing his hypocrisy. That denunciation was a Spirit-inspired prophetic judgment that was later fulfilled when Ananias was murdered during the Jewish war. His indignant answer showed he had not yet become as meek and lowly as his Master. For Christ, when mocked, struck on the face, blindfolded, and taunted to name who struck Him, endured cruelty without retaliation and declared He came not to judge and crush the world but to save, heal, uplift, ennoble, and bless it. In this scene Paul exemplifies continuing steadfastly in his cause without being turned aside by opposition or persecution.