John 18:19–24 (WEL) Then the High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and temple, where the Jews always get together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 “Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me. Look, they know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the temple police standing there slapped Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Is that the way you answer the High Priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have said anything wrong, bear witness of the evil; but if truly, why do you hit me?” 24 Then Annas sent him tied up to Caiaphas, the High Priest.
V19 Then the High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and teaching.
What these questions were is unknown, but most of the questions these leaders asked Jesus were to entrap Him in some way, so they could condemn Him. It never worked; Jesus always defeated them.
They also wanted to know who the disciples were so as to destroy them.
The High Priest is very evil.
Principle: Respect authority, but there is no requirement to obey them. See Acts 4:16–20.
V20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and temple, where the Jews always get together. I have said nothing in secret.
Jesus told the truth. Everything that He believed and taught was public at some point. There were a few topics that only those who worshipped Him were qualified to know (Matthew 13:11).
Principle: Tell the truth even if you might be punished by it.
V21 “Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me. Look, they know what I said.”
There were thousands of witnesses. Jesus answered properly. He did not lie, nor disrespect the High Priest. It is an obvious response. The High Priest took that as an excuse to abuse Jesus. After the High Priest died and went to Hades, he was probably one of the gnashers. See Matthew 8:12.
V22 When he had said this, one of the temple police standing there slapped Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Is that the way you answer the High Priest?”
This law officer (probably a Levite) has great joy to abuse His creator. How low can a person get?
Principle: Evil people are always looking for some excuse to be evil.
V23 Jesus answered him, “If I have said anything wrong, bear witness of the evil; but if truly, why do you hit me?”
Jesus answers truly. There was no reason for this action. If Jesus deserved this abuse, then tell the High Priest.
Comments:
(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) “They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, willfully shut their eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.”
Dake (beware) (Dake Study Bible Notes) “A Christian is bound to bear injuries and injustices without revengeful retaliation; but he is privileged, even by the example of the Lord, to call to question such mistreatment. This does not break the law of Matthew 5:39.”
Pett: “An officer who stood by struck Him. This behavior was typical of arrogant authority. This man did not like Jesus making a confident reply. The purpose of this hearing was in order to bring Him to submission, not so that He could defend Himself. Bullies will always take advantage of situations to make themselves look important and win appreciation from their superiors. Annas could have demonstrated his character by intervening. But his aim too was subjection. His character was shown to be lacking. The brutal and unreasonable nature of the examination is clearly brought out.
“And Jesus quietly made them all aware of their guilt. It was not His supposed evil they were concerned with but their own self-aggrandizement.”
V24 Then Annas sent him tied up to Caiaphas, the High Priest.
Caiaphas was Annas’s son-in-law.
We learn:
- To tell the truth even if it results in abuse from the others.
- Authorities sometimes use their authority illegally.
Questions:
- Will you follow the example of Jesus if you find yourself in a similar situation?
- Will you be able to forgive a person if they do this to you? Forgiveness does not absolve punishment but places revenge in the hands of God. See Romans 12:19.