In Paul’s reply to Ananias it is important to use the same verb to strike as is employed in verse 2. If such a verb can also suggest destruction, this may be all the better.
No one is certain what the exact analogy is that Paul had in mind when he called the High Priest a whitewashed wall. The first thing that comes to mind is the comparison that our Lord used (Matthew 23.27). However, the phrase is there used to describe hypocrisy, and it is difficult to read that into the present context. Others see in this a reference to the wall mentioned in Ezekiel 13.10-15, a wall which looked strong enough but was blown over by the wind. The problem is that the Septuagint does not use the word “whitewashed” to describe that wall. Perhaps the best solution is imply to conclude that this was a formula of abuse, the precise meaning of which is no longer known. Since we do not know the precise value of whitewashed wall, it is difficult to suggest alternative expressions in other languages. Therefore, it may very well be necessary simply to reproduce this expression in a more or less literal form (for example, “painted-over wall” or “wall that has been made to look white”), and then explain in some marginal note that this was obviously an expression of abuse, of which the precise meaning is no longer known. For the most part, however, a rendering such as “wall which has been made to look white” does provide at least a meaningful basis for an expression which would be interpreted as an insult to the High Priest.
You sit there to judge me according to the Law may be rendered as “you sit there as a judge who is supposed to follow the Law” or “you sit there as one who is supposed to judge me by what the Law says.”
In a number of languages one can speak about “breaking the Law,” but in many other languages such an expression simply does not make sense. One can only “break sticks.” However, in many languages one can “go against the Law,” “destroy the Law,” or “do what the Law says one should not do.”
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 .