The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: "Like a sheep He was led to slaughter, and just as a lamb before its shearer is dumb so He opened not His mouth.

"'On no account, Lord,' I replied, 'for nothing unholy or impure has ever gone into my mouth.'

We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.

He had been instructed by word of mouth in the way of the Lord, and, being full of burning zeal, he used to speak and teach accurately the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism but John's.

On hearing this the High Priest Ananias ordered those who were standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.