“And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.”
The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth — the high priest's order to silence Paul violates the principle of fair hearing; Ananias acts as judge, jury, and executioner. The violence foreshadows Roman brutality yet originates in Jewish authority.
Church Fathers on Acts 23:2
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Acts 23:1 What he means is this: I am not conscious to myself of having wronged you at all, or of having done anything worthy of these bonds. What then said the high priest? Right justly, and ruler-like, and mildly:
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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