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Acts 23 · a question people ask

Paul said to the high priest, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!" (23:3). Was he right to say it?

In the text

Acts sets down what was said and passes no verdict on it. Paul said, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?" (23:3). Those who stood by asked, "Do you malign God’s high priest?" (23:4). Paul answered, "I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’" (23:5). Acts doesn't say whether Paul was right to say the words of 23:3, and these notes don't say either.

The verses

“Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?” Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?” Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’””
Acts 23:3-5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Acts 23

Acts 23: Cheer up, Paul

Paul tells the council he is judged "Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead" (23:6). The following night, "the Lord stood by him": "Cheer up, Paul" (23:11). When more than forty people plot against him, Paul's sister's son, whom Acts never names, tells Paul (23:13, 23:16).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions