23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!8 Do9 you sit there judging me according to the law,10 and in violation of the law11 you order me to be struck?”
snYou whitewashed wall. This was an idiom for hypocrisy—just as the wall was painted on the outside but something different on the inside, so this person was not what he appeared or pretended to be (L&N 88.234; see also BDAG1010s.v.τοῖχος). Paul was claiming that the man’s response was two-faced (Ezek 13:10–16; Matt 23:27–28). See also Deut 28:22.
9
tnGrk “And do.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
tnBDAG769s.v.παρανομέω has “παρανομῶν κελεύειςin violation of the law you orderAc 23:3.”
snIn violation of the law. Paul was claiming that punishment was given before the examination was complete (m. Sanhedrin 3:6–8). Luke’s noting of this detail shows how quickly the leadership moved to react against Paul.