One should respect authority ~ Cross reference of Acts 23:5 to Exodus 22:27
Quite trivial incident and does not involve any theology. Paul comes out with some smooth moves. In this case even though he knew who the high priest was, he claims he did not know. The position of a high priest is not something that is taken lightly in the Jewish tradition. Right from Arron, every high priest is an anointed leader and is the only one that can enter the holy of holies. Their attire both when offering sacrifices and priestly garments was distinguished and of all the people Paul who was "Pharisee of Pharisee's should have been able to identify that the high priest asked him to be slapped. So he first vents out and then quotes Exodus 22:27 to say had he known he would not have shown disrespect. The basic issue here is Exodus does not talk about respecting the high priest alone but anyone who is in a position of authority [Sanhedrin in this case]. So even if he did not know who the high priest was, he should have been respectful of all the people especially when ...