King James Version

What Does Acts 23:3 Mean?

Acts 23:3 in the King James Version says “Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and command... — study this verse from Acts chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Acts 23:3 · KJV


Context

1

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul's rebuke - 'God shall smite thee, thou whited wall' - echoed Jesus's condemnation of hypocritical leaders (Matthew 23:27). The charge of sitting to judge 'after the law' while commanding to strike Paul 'contrary to the law' exposed stunning hypocrisy. Paul's righteous anger at injustice, especially when cloaked in religious authority, reflected Jesus's own confrontations with corrupt leaders.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

A 'whited wall' referred to a wall whitewashed to hide structural defects, symbolizing outward religious appearance covering inner corruption. Paul's prophecy of divine judgment on Ananias proved accurate - he died violently in AD 66.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is righteous anger at injustice appropriate, and how do you express it without sin?
  2. How do you discern between respecting authority and confronting corruption, especially in religious contexts?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
τότε1 of 26

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

2 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλος3 of 26

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

πρὸς4 of 26

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτὸν5 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἶπεν6 of 26

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τύπτεσθαι7 of 26

smite

G5180

to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic

σε8 of 26

thee

G4571

thee

μέλλει9 of 26

shall

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

10 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός11 of 26

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῖχε12 of 26

wall

G5109

a wall

κεκονιαμένε·13 of 26

thou whited

G2867

to whitewash

καὶ14 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σὺ15 of 26

thou

G4771

thou

κάθῃ16 of 26

sittest

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

κρίνων17 of 26

to judge

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

με18 of 26

me

G3165

me

κατὰ19 of 26

after

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὸν20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμον21 of 26

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

καὶ22 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρανομῶν23 of 26

contrary to the law

G3891

to be opposed to law, i.e., to transgress

κελεύεις24 of 26

commandest

G2753

"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order

με25 of 26

me

G3165

me

τύπτεσθαι26 of 26

smite

G5180

to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 23:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 23:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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