Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”
4. Those which stood by said By this it appeareth that they were all sick of one disease. “Eadem omnes intemperie laborasse,” that they all laboured under the same intemperance, For why do they not rather blame Ananias, when they saw that he had quite forgotten all modesty, and that he brake out into violence and stripes after a barbarous manner?
Paul faced that assembly with boldness and a clear conscience. He had thought to move them to good purpose by appearing before the Sanhedrin, since in his youth he had revered it; yet we find he works nothing upon them. A good conscience gives a good courage, and his holy confidence faced them down as Stephen's had done.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 23:1-5
And they that stood by,.... The members of the sanhedrim that were next to the apostle; or the servants of the high priest, since they are said to stand, whereas those of that court sat: said, revilest thou God's high priest?