Acts 23:3

God shall smite. Some have thought that Paul spoke hastily, and that v. 5 was intended to be an apology. Under provocation Jesus remained silent (Matt. 26:63; 1 Peter 2:23). It is possible, however, that Paul spoke by inspiration, and, without realizing that it was the high priest to whom he spoke (see v. 5), foretold his fate. Ananias was assassinated (Josephus War ii. 17. 6, 9) in A.D. 66, seven or eight years later, probably by the Sicarii (see Vol. V, pp. 70, 73; see on ch. 21:38). Compare Jer. 28:15–17.

Thou whited wall. That is, thou hypocrite (cf. Matt. 23:27). Like a whitewashed wall, this holder of a high office of justice might wear the outer trappings of his rank, but he was not the righteous or judicious person such a leader should have been.

Sittest thou? In Greek the pronoun is emphatic: “and dost thou sit?” That is, How can you, a whited wall of hypocrisy, sit in judgment upon others?

After the law. That is, according to the law, meaning Jewish law.

Contrary to the law. Beating was permitted by Jewish law, but only after right judicial procedure resulting in the conviction of the accused (Deut. 25:1, 2; cf. John 7:51). As a former member of the Sanhedrin Paul knew the law and proper judicial procedure, and asserted his right to enjoy due process of law. Compare Vol. V, p. 539.