Scholars debate why Paul claimed ignorance. Some believe he was being literal, perhaps due to poor eyesight or the high priest not wearing official robes in a hastily called meeting. Others suggest it was irony, meaning, "I don't recognize such an unjust man as God's high priest." A third view is that Paul knew Ananias was not the legitimate high priest at the time, making his statement a technical and factual rejection of his authority.