SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:2
El príncipe de los sacerdotes, Ananías, mand entonces a los que estaban delante de l, que le hiriesen en la boca.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 23:2
Verse 2. The high priest, Ananias] There was a high priest of this name, who was sent a prisoner to Rome by Quadratus, governor of Syria, to give an account of the part he took in the quarrel between the Jews and the Samaritans; see Joseph. Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 6, s. 8; but whether he ever returned again to Jerusalem, says Dr. Lightfoot, is uncertain; still more uncertain whether he was ever restored to the office of high priest; and most uncertain of all whether he filled the chair when Paul pleaded his cause, which was some years after Felix was settled in the government. But Krebs has proved that this very Ananias, on being examined at Rome, was found innocent, returned to Jerusalem, and was restored to the high priesthood; see Joseph. Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 9, s. 2; but of his death I find nothing certain. See Krebs on this place, (Observat. in Nov. Testament. e Flavio Josepho,) who successfully controverts the opinion of Dr. Lightfoot, mentioned at the beginning of this note. There was one Ananias, who is said to have perished in a tumult raised by his own son about five years after this time; see Jos. Antiq. lib. x. cap. 9. War, lib. ii. cap. 17.
To smite him on the mouth.] Because he professed to have a good conscience, while believing on Jesus Christ, and propagating his doctrine.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And the high priest Ananias , etc.] This could not be the same with Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, but rather Ananus his son; though this is more generally thought to be Ananias the son of Nebedaeus, whom Josephus speaks of. There is one R. Ananias, the sagan of the priests, often spoken of in the Jewish writings f1141 , who lived about these times, and was killed at the destruction of Jerusalem; and in the times of King Agrippa, there was one Chanina, or Ananias the priest, who was a Sadducee f1142 ; and from the number of Sadducees in this sanhedrim, who very likely were the creatures of the high priest, one would be tempted to think he might be the same with this: who commanded them that stood by him : that is, by Paul, who were nearest to him, some of the members of the sanhedrim; unless they should be thought to be some of the high priests officers, or servants, as in ( John 18:22) though if they were, one would think they would be so called: these he ordered to smite him on the mouth : or give him a slap on the face, by way of contempt, and as if he had spoken what ought not to be said, and in order to silence him; the reason of which might be, either because Paul did not directly address him, and give him such flattering titles as he expected, or because he set out with such declarations of his innocence, and spotless behaviour, and with so much courage and boldness.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before him, an lives as in his sight. He makes conscience of what he says and does and, according to the best of his knowledge, he keeps from whatever i evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is conscientious in all his word and conduct. Those who thus live before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and man. Though the answer of Paul containe a just rebuke and prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the treatment he received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their faults, and public complaints may be made in a proper manner; but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ αρχιερευς 749 N-NSM ανανιας 367 N-NSM επεταξεν 2004 5656 V-AAI-3S τοις 3588 T-DPM παρεστωσιν 3936 5761 V-RAP-DPM αυτω 846 P-DSM τυπτειν 5180 5721 V-PAN αυτου 846 P-GSM το 3588 T-ASN στομα 4750 N-ASN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Ananias. He is described as a revengeful and rapacious tyrant. We are told that he reduced the inferior priests almost to starvation by defrauding them of their tithes, and sent his creatures to the threshing-floors with bludgeons to seize the tithes by force.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
23:2 {Ananias} (hananias). Not the one in #Lu 3:2; Joh 18:13; Ac 4:7, but the son of Nebedaeus, nominated high priest by Herod, King of Chalcis, A.D. 48 and till A.D. 59. He was called to Rome A.D. 52 to answer "a charge of rapine and cruelty made against him by the Samaritans, but honorably acquitted" (Page). Though high priest, he was a man of bad character. {Them that stood by him} (tois parest"sin autwi). Dative case of second perfect participle of paristemi, to place, and intransitive. See the same form in verse #4 (parestwtes). {To smite him on the mouth} (tuptein autou to stoma). See on 12:45; 18:17. Cf. the treatment of Jesus (#Joh 18:22). Ananias was provoked by Paul's self-assertion while on trial before his judges. "The act was illegal and peculiarly offensive to a Jew at the hands of a Jew" (Knowling). More self-control might have served Paul better. Smiting the mouth or cheek is a peculiarly irritating offence and one not uncommon among the Jews and this fact gives point to the command of Jesus to turn the other check (#Lu 6:29 where tuptw is also used).
