And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
The question belongs to Paul's appearance before the Jewish council. The leaders there stood against his witness to the truth, seeking to silence him rather than answer what he testified. He faced hostile Pharisees, yet he continued to uphold the cause he served.
Those standing nearby challenged his rebuke of Ananias because they regarded the man he had condemned as God's high priest. Paul answered that he had not known the man was high priest, and he cited the command not to speak evil of the ruler of the people. Even while condemning the unlawful order to strike him, he showed respect for the office itself.
The question belongs to Paul's appearance before the Jewish council. The leaders there stood against his witness to the truth, seeking to silence him rather than answer what he testified. He faced hostile Pharisees, yet he continued to uphold the cause he served.
Those standing nearby challenged his rebuke of Ananias because they regarded the man he had condemned as God's high priest. Paul answered that he had not known the man was high priest, and he cited the command not to speak evil of the ruler of the people. Even while condemning the unlawful order to strike him, he showed respect for the office itself.