Acts 23:1-10

Paul's Second Defense

As he stood before the council, or Sanhedrin, Paul told them he had lived in good until that very time (Compare 1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 1:3). At this, Ananias commanded the man next to Paul to strike him, which was a violation of their law. Paul, likely with the voice of prophecy, told Ananias that God would strike him because he sat to judge the apostle by the law but violated it by having a man struck before he had been tried and found guilty (Deuteronomy 25:1-2). Coffman says Ananias was murdered by his own people just a few years later at the beginning of the Jewish war. Those standing by asked Paul if he was reviling the high priest, who, of course, was one with certain authority. It might seem improbable that the apostle could fail to recognize the high priest. However, since the Sanhedrin was not in formal assembly, Ananias may not have had on official dress. Further, Ananias may not have been the actual high priest at that time, since the title was also used for former high priests and those who were merely from the family out of which he was chosen. Once the apostle knew who he spoke against, he immediately apologized noting that it was against the law to speak against a ruler of God's people (Acts 23:1-5; Exodus 22:28).

When Paul saw the council was comprised of both Pharisees and Sadducees, he began his defense by saying he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee and brought up on charges because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead. Actually, this was the center piece of the gospel, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His statement immediately created a division between the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection and the Sadducees, who did not. Some of the scribes who were Pharisees actually stood up and said they could not find any fault in Paul, even wondering if the apostle had been spoken to by a spirit or an angel. The dissention between the two groups was so great that the chief captain had Paul withdrawn to the castle, afraid he would be torn apart by them (Acts 23:6-10).