Acts 23:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul replies that he did not know Ananias was the high priest, and he submits himself to the Scripture forbidding evil words against a ruler.
What Does Acts 23:5 Mean?
Paul answers, "I wist not" — I did not know — "that he was the high priest." He had been away from Jerusalem for years, and this hastily summoned session was convened by a Roman officer rather than gathered in formal state. Then he quotes Exodus 22:28 against himself: "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."
The marvel is the instant submission. Caught speaking against a ruler, Paul does not defend the outburst or relitigate the blow; he cites the command that condemns his words and stops. A heart genuinely under God's word lets that word correct it mid-sentence. Reverence for what is written outranks the satisfaction of a justified retort — and turns even a flash of anger into a lesson in repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 23:5
What does Acts 23:5 mean?
Paul replies that he did not know Ananias was the high priest, and he submits himself to the Scripture forbidding evil words against a ruler.