Acts 23:4-5

23:4 Those standing near him ¹  said, “Do you dare insult ²  God’s high priest?” 23:5 Paul replied, ³  “I did not realize, ⁴  brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” ⁵ 

[23:4]  ¹ tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

[23:4]  ² tn L&N 33.393 has for λοιδορέω (loidorew) “to speak in a highly insulting manner – ‘to slander, to insult strongly, slander, insult.’”

[23:5]  ³ tn Grk “said.”

[23:5]  ⁴ tn Or “know.”

[23:5]  ⁵ sn A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.