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Acts 23:4

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 23:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God`s high priest?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God`s high priest?
Acts 23:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.
2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God`s high priest?
5And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.
6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
← Acts 23:3Acts 23:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they that stood by, etc.] The members of the sanhedrim that were next to the apostle; or the servants of the high priest, since they are said to stand, whereas those of that court sat: said, revilest thou God’s high priest? which seems to confirm that the apostle’s words were not a bare prediction, but an imprecation, since they are charged with reproaching, reviling, and speaking evil of him; and the aggravation of which was not only that the person reviled was a priest, an high priest, but an high priest of God; though this could not have been proved, for there was now no high priest of God but Jesus Christ; the priesthood was changed and abrogated, and there were no more high priests…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Revilest thou ... - Dost thou reproach or abuse the high priest of God? is remarkable that they, who knew that he was not the high priest, should have offered this language. He was, however, in the place of the high priest, and they might have pretended that respect was due to the office. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification