Ananias was High Priest from A.D. 47 to 66, when he was assassinated by the Jews because of his support of the Romans during the Jewish uprising. The reason that he ordered Paul to be slapped is not clear. It may be because he thought Paul was presumptuous by addressing the group as my brothers, or it may be that he felt it improper for a prisoner to maintain his innocence. It is interesting to recall that Jesus was also struck during his trial (John 18. 22-23).

The verb ordered may require direct discourse in some languages—for example, “the High Priest Ananias ordered those who were standing close to Paul, Strike him on the mouth.” In a number of languages one must distinguish carefully between striking with the hand closed or with an open hand, that is, “hit” versus “slap.” The Greek text itself makes no distinction and one can choose whichever form of striking would seem to be more appropriate within a parallel receptor context.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .