"Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the r…" — Acts 23:5

Acts 23:5 · 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.”

— Acts 23:5

Verse 4

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

Verse 6

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men {and} brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 23 — Context

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, {thou} whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

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.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Cross References

Exodus 22:28

Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. {gods: or, judges}

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. {thought: or, conscience}

Jude 1:8-9

Likewise also these {filthy} dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

2 Peter 2:10

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous {are they}, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. {government: or, dominion}

Acts 24:17

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.