After bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders, Paul travelled on and reached Jerusalem. James, the brother of the Lord was the leader of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 21:18). Peter was preaching abroad after an angel released him from the deadly hand of King Herod in Acts 12. He was not heard again in Acts.
The situation in Jerusalem was extremely hostile to Paul. Jealous Jews from Asia spread rumours about Paul persuading people to forsake the law of Moses. This was totally unacceptable for any Jews.
and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs (Acts 21:21).
Actions speak louder than words. James advised Paul to observe a solemn vow in the Temple, thus being seen by the people that he was actually a zealous Jew like the rest. Paul followed his advice and when it was almost done, a riot was stirred up in Jerusalem by jealous Jews from Asia. Paul was dragged out of the Temple and the gates were immediately shut (Acts 21:30)! The mob intended to lynch Paul and would not let him off the hook by seeking sanctuary in the Temple. Luckily Paul was carried away by Roman soldiers into the barrack. The tribune tried to find out why the Jews sought his life. The next day, he sent Paul to the Jewish Council and clarify the issue.
Paul began with this opening statement.
Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day (Acts 23:1b).
Unlike Peter, who addressed the Council as "Rulers of the people and elders" (Acts 4:8), and Stephen "Brethren and fathers" (Acts 7:2), Paul called them "Brethren" only. It was understandable because Paul was a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel. He must have recognized some fellow Pharisee classmates among this Council. Some scholars even suggest that Paul might have been a Council member because he was able to get letters from the High Priest to arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). Anyway, Paul tried to begin on a friendly term with the Council. But what did Paul get in return?
And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth (Acts 23:2).
Wasn't it barbaric? But from the point of view of the High Priest, probably Paul did not follow the protocol. He spoke before he was instructed to do so. Even if you have all the right on your side, you still have to follow the procedure in this formal situation. Historians tell us that this High Priest Ananias was infamous for his cruelty. Still it was barbaric.
Paul was furious. He retorted.
Then Paul said to him, "God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" (Acts 23:3)
Ananias did not act as a High Priest should. Even if Paul had not followed the protocol, he himself had done the same. What did Paul mean when he called the High Priest "whitewashed wall"? In Matthew, Jesus called the hypocritical Pharisees and scribes "whitewashed tombs" (Matthew 23:27). In Ezekiel 13, Ezekiel spoke about false prophets who misled people by whitewashing the precarious situation.
Because, yea, because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace; and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets daub it with whitewash;
say to those who daub it with whitewash that it shall fall! (Ezekiel 13:10-11)
These Jewish leaders lived on the people. False prophets whitewashed their evils. God would demolish them.
Whether God were a human invention or not, He would be the only weight available to oppressed people to counter-balance a tyrant.
Paul's situation was hopeless. He had seen with his own eyes the martyrdom of Stephen before the Council. Even if he would escape from this Council, he would not from the mob of Jerusalem. God was his only refuge. By invoking the wrath of God, Paul hoped that the High Priest would turn back from his intended course of action. But the chance was extremely slim.
The following exchange was curious.
Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?"
And Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" (Acts 23:4-5)
Some scholars suggest that the eye sight of Paul was poor. He could not see clearly who had commanded the strike. Others suggest that this Council meeting was not held in its usual place. The High Priest did not dress in the usual attire. Yet others suggest that Paul had been away from Jerusalem for too long. He did not know that the one presiding was the High Priest.
I do not find these explanations convincing. From the mouth of Paul, we know that Ananias was sitting to judge. Who, other than the High Priest, could be sitting to judge in the Jewish Council? Was Paul insincere in defending his "impulsive" reaction?
Probably not. In the eyes of Paul, Ananias was not doing what was expected of a High Priest. His action was contrary to the law. He did not deserve to be one. Instead of being judged by Ananias, Paul was passing judgment on him.
Paul was quick witted. Seeing Pharisees and Sadducees among the Council, he immediately stirred up a division among them. Paul was able to escape from the situation. That night, Jesus stood by Paul to assure him that he would bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11).
Dear Lord, how blessed Paul was to have You stood by him! I dare not dream of such an honour. May I continue to follow Your plan to serve You in my station. Amen.
Appendix:
You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.ἄρχοντα τοῦ λαοῦ σου οὐκ ἐρεῖς κακῶς. (Acts 23:5b)
ἄρχοντας τοῦ λαοῦ σου οὐ κακῶς ἐρεῖς. (Exodus 22:27b)
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