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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Acts 23:1–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Then said Paul unto him, 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?
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. Acts 24:16Rank 1 from verse 1
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    16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

  2. 2 Corinthians 1:12Rank 2 from verse 1
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    12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

  3. 2 Timothy 1:3Rank 3 from verse 1
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    3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

  4. Hebrews 13:18Rank 4 from verse 1
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    18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

  5. 1 Corinthians 4:4Rank 5 from verse 1
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    4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

From verse 2

  1. John 18:22Rank 1 from verse 2
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    22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

  2. Acts 24:1Rank 2 from verse 2
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    1AND after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

  3. 1 Kings 22:24Rank 3 from verse 2
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    24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?

  4. Micah 5:1Rank 4 from verse 2
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    1NOW gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

  5. Jeremiah 20:2Rank 5 from verse 2
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    2Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.

From verse 3

  1. Deuteronomy 25:1–2Rank 1 from verse 3
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    1IF there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

    2And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

  2. John 7:51Rank 2 from verse 3
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    51Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

  3. Matthew 23:27–28Rank 3 from verse 3
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    27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

    28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

  4. Amos 5:7Rank 4 from verse 3
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    7Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

  5. Ecclesiastes 3:16Rank 5 from verse 3
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    16¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

From verse 5

  1. Exodus 22:28Rank 1 from verse 5
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    28¶ Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  2. Ecclesiastes 10:20Rank 2 from verse 5
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    20¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

  3. Jude 1:8–9Rank 3 from verse 5
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    8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

    9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  4. 2 Peter 2:10Rank 4 from verse 5
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    10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  5. Acts 24:17Rank 5 from verse 5
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    17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:1

COMBINED MEANING

beholding

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of behold, meaning to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lived

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of live. Sense 1: To have or continue in life; to remain alive, be restored to life, or not die. Sense 2: To dwell, abide, or continue in a place, state, relation, or manner of life. Sense 3: To subsist or be sustained by or upon what is named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

conscience

↗

The inward moral awareness that bears witness concerning one's conduct, accusing or excusing and approving or condemning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:2

COMBINED MEANING

high

↗

Sense 1: Elevated or far above; great in height, stature, or position; aloft. Sense 2: Elevated or chief in rank, office, power, authority, honor, excellence, or importance. Sense 3: Great in degree, intensity, fullness, or advancement; loud or strongly expressed. Sense 4: Proud, haughty, or self-exalting. Sense 5: Difficult, lofty, or beyond reach or understanding. Sense 6: In high way, a principal or public road; in high place, an elevated site, often used for worship or sacrifice.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

smite

↗

To strike, hit, beat, wound, kill, defeat, destroy, afflict, plague, or bring a forceful blow, judgment, correction, or rebuke upon someone or something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:3

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

smite

↗

To strike, hit, beat, wound, kill, defeat, destroy, afflict, plague, or bring a forceful blow, judgment, correction, or rebuke upon someone or something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

whited

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of white, meaning to make white; to whiten.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wall

↗

Sense 1: A structure raised to enclose, divide, or defend a place. Sense 2: Figuratively, a defense or protection.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

judge

↗

Sense 1: A person or authority who hears, discerns, decides, governs, vindicates, condemns, or administers justice. Sense 2: To examine, distinguish, determine, form a verdict, rule, govern, condemn, punish, vindicate, or call to account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

smitten

↗

Struck, beaten, wounded, afflicted, plagued, defeated, killed, judged, or forcefully affected by a blow, weapon, disease, enemy, word, or divine act.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

contrary

↗

Sense 1: Opposed, adverse, conflicting, or moving against another. Sense 2: Reversed or turned to the opposite result.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:4

COMBINED MEANING

revilest

↗

Second-person singular present form of revile, meaning to abuse, insult, reproach, or speak contemptuously against someone.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

high

↗

Sense 1: Elevated or far above; great in height, stature, or position; aloft. Sense 2: Elevated or chief in rank, office, power, authority, honor, excellence, or importance. Sense 3: Great in degree, intensity, fullness, or advancement; loud or strongly expressed. Sense 4: Proud, haughty, or self-exalting. Sense 5: Difficult, lofty, or beyond reach or understanding. Sense 6: In high way, a principal or public road; in high place, an elevated site, often used for worship or sacrifice.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:5

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

high

↗

Sense 1: Elevated or far above; great in height, stature, or position; aloft. Sense 2: Elevated or chief in rank, office, power, authority, honor, excellence, or importance. Sense 3: Great in degree, intensity, fullness, or advancement; loud or strongly expressed. Sense 4: Proud, haughty, or self-exalting. Sense 5: Difficult, lofty, or beyond reach or understanding. Sense 6: In high way, a principal or public road; in high place, an elevated site, often used for worship or sacrifice.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ruler

↗

Sense 1: One who governs or exercises authority. Sense 2: A straight measuring instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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1AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Selected passage

2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Selected passage

3Then said Paul unto him, 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?

Selected passage

4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

Selected passage

5Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Selected passage

6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

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