The apostle was now to be tried by the same tribunal of which he himself had been a member before his conversion. 411 As he stood before the Jewish rulers, his bearing was calm, and his countenance revealed the peace of Christ. "Earnestly beholding the council," he said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Upon hearing these words, their hatred was kindled afresh; "and the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth." At this inhuman command, Paul exclaimed, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?" "They that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?" With his usual courtesy Paul answered, "I wish not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Nu skulle apostlen forhøres af det samme råd, som han selv havde været medlem af før sin omvendelse. Da han stod foran de jødiske rådsherrer, var hans optræden rolig og hans ansigt lyste af Kristi fred. "Da så Paulus fast på rådet og sagde: "Brødre! jeg har med fuldgod samvittighed levet mit liv for Gud indtil denne dag." "Ved at høre disse ord, optændtes deres had på ny og "ypperstepræsten Ananias bød dem, som stod ved siden af ham, at de skulle slå ham på munden." Ved denne umenneskelige befaling udbrød Paulus: "Gud skal slå dig, du kalkede væg! her sidder du for at dømme mig efter loven og tvært imod loven befaler du, at de skal slå mig!" "De, som stod ved siden af, sagde da: "Skælder du Guds ypperstepræst ud?" Paulus svarede med sin sædvanlige høflighed: "Brødre, jeg vidste ikke, at det var ypperstepræsten; der står jo skrevet: Mod en øvrighedsperson i dit folk må du ikke tale onde ord."