Another example of someone who knew when to apologize is the apostle Paul. Once, he had to defend himself before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. Infuriated by Paul’s honest words, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by Paul to strike him on the mouth. At that, Paul said to him: “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. Do you at one and the same time sit to judge me in accord with the Law and, transgressing the Law, command me to be struck?” When onlookers accused Paul of reviling the high priest, the apostle immediately admitted his error, saying: “Brothers, I did not know he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people.’”​—Acts 23:1-5.

What Paul had said​—that the one appointed as judge should not resort to violence—​was valid. Still, he apologized for unknowingly speaking to the high priest in a manner that could be viewed as being disrespectful.a Paul’s apology paved the way for the Sanhedrin to listen to what he had to say.