Acts 23:4-5

23:4 Those standing near him ¹  said, “Do you dare insult ²  God’s high priest?” 23:5 Paul replied, ³  “I did not realize, ⁴  brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” ⁵ 

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¹ tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

² tn L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω (loidorew) “to speak in a highly insulting manner – ‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’”

sn Insult God’s high priest. Paul was close to violation of the Mosaic law with his response, as the citation from Exod 22:28 in v. 5 makes clear.

³ tn Grk “said.”

⁴ tn Or “know.”

⁵ sn A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.