Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Acts 23:5

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In the previous verse, those in the council questioned Paul’s words to the high priest, saying, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” In response, it next notes, “Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest.’”

Rather, Luke records it exactly as Paul would speak, first using a pluperfect verb and then a present tense verb, “I had not known that he is the high priest.” He is indicating that at the time he said his words, he was unaware of the fact that he was addressing the high priest. However, he now sees, based on their response, that he is the high priest.

There are various ways that his words might be taken. They may have been a note of sarcasm, stressing his words as if he was fraudulently appointed as high priest. Or it could be that he didn’t know who had made the statement as his attention was elsewhere. It could also be that he couldn’t identify who it was that had spoken because of bad eyesight.

No matter which is correct, he immediately pulls back from his impulsive response and cites the law which had been ignored by them, saying, “for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

His words provide the substance of a portion of Exodus 22:28 –

“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.”

If the high priest was legitimate, calling him a plastered wall might be taken as a curse. If so, they could have legitimate charges brought against him. By his response, this was no longer the case. Also, in citing the law that they ignored, Paul has gained the upper hand in the matter, regardless of how the situation turns out. He will have shown that he is aware of the law and is able to properly apply its precepts when situations arise that require him to do so.

The high priest, on the other hand, either didn’t know the law or he flippantly disregarded it. Either way, it demonstrated his unworthiness to be in the position he filled.

Life application: When reading words, there are times when it is hard to know what a person is saying. By placing the stress on one word or another within a sentence, we can come to a completely different conclusion about what is being said.

Quite often, this will not be the case in the original language. Therefore, precision of translation is necessary. However, this is often lacking. Hence, reading multiple translations may provide clarity for the reader. However, there are times when vagueness or ambiguity may lie in the original. Thus, the words must be taken in the greater context of what is being said.

Therefore, knowing the Bible through constant reading is necessary to know where there is an error in thinking about how a set of words should be translated. Be sure to keep reading the word, keep referring to other translations before coming to unfounded conclusions, and also check with commentaries when you are still not sure.

However, it is still common for those fully trained in the original languages to come to completely opposite conclusions about what is being said. Therefore, it again may be up to you to know what they have missed by knowing the rest of the word. Be sure to read the word, pray for the Lord to be with you in your study, and don’t be quick to come to conclusions or accept the conclusions of others.

What a large and complicated word You have given us, O God. It is filled with things that are often quite complicated or hard to understand. And yet, it is a word that gives a simple overall message of love, reconciliation, and our need for Your grace. Help us to have the basics down properly. From there, we can pursue the rest of the word in its proper light. Help us in this, O God. Amen.