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Acts 23:5

Paul
Humility

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”

4 But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

7 As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
KJV
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.
WEB
Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
ASV
And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.
DARBY
And Paul said, I was not conscious, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evilly of the ruler of thy people.
BLB
And Paul was saying, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it has been written: ‘You shall not speak evil [of] the ruler of your people.’”
ÅB
Og Paulus sa: Jeg visste ikke, brødre, at det var ypperstepresten; det står jo skrevet: Mot en høvding blant ditt folk skal du ikke bruke ukvemsord.
OTB
Paulus svarte: «Jeg var ikke klar over, brødre, at han var ypperstepresten; for det står skrevet: ‘Du skal ikke tale ondt om en hersker over ditt folk.’»
B1930
Og Paulus sa: Jeg visste ikke, brødre, at det var ypperstepresten; det står jo skrevet: Mot en høvding blandt ditt folk skal du ikke bruke ukvemsord.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 22:28

    You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 10:20

    Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.

    Read in context

  • Jude 1:8–9

    Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.

    Read in context

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.

    Read in context