23:2 {2} And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
(2) Hypocrites are forced at length to betray themselves by their violence.
23:2 To strike him on the mouth. The high priest flamed up in an instant at the statement of Paul that he had acted in good conscience. How could such a renegade from Judaism be conscientious ? It is common in the despotic East to order the mouths that are supposed to have spoken falsely to be smitten. Ananias was high priest at this time, but was removed on a charge brought by King Agrippa in A.D. 59 (Ac 25:13). He was at last assassinated.
23:1-5 See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before him, and lives as in his sight. He makes conscience of what he says and does, and, according to the best of his knowledge, he keeps from whatever is evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is conscientious in all his words and conduct. Those who thus live before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and man. Though the answer of Paul contained a just rebuke and prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the treatment he received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their faults, and public complaints may be made in a proper manner; but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.
