“And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?”
But the bystanders said, 'Do you revile the high priest of God?' — the bystanders rebuke Paul for insulting the high priest, treating the office as sacred despite the officer's injustice. Institutional authority claims immunity from criticism.
Church Fathers on Acts 23:4
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite you, you whited wall: for do you sit to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Do you revile God's high priest? Then said Paul, I knew not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people. Acts 23:3-5 Because I knew not…
Read all 2 entries in the readerNicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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