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The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.(A) 20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”(B) 23 Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?”(C) 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.(D)

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Jesus Questioned by Annas

19 While this was happening,[a] the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.[b] 20 Jesus replied,[c] “I have spoken publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues[d] and in the temple courts,[e] where all the Jewish people[f] assemble together. I[g] have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said.[h] They[i] know what I said.” 22 When Jesus[j] had said this, one of the high priest’s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said,[k] “Is that the way you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus replied,[l] “If I have said something wrong,[m] confirm[n] what is wrong.[o] But if I spoke correctly, why strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up,[p] to Caiaphas the high priest.[q]

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Footnotes

  1. John 18:19 tn The introductory phrase “While this was happening” is not in the Greek text. It has been supplied in the translation to clarify the alternation of scenes in the narrative for the modern reader.
  2. John 18:19 sn The nature of this hearing seems to be more that of a preliminary investigation; certainly normal legal procedure was not followed, for no indication is given that any witnesses were brought forth at this point to testify against Jesus. True to what is known of Annas’ character, he was more interested in Jesus’ disciples than in the precise nature of Jesus’ teaching, since he inquired about the followers first. He really wanted to know just how influential Jesus had become and how large a following he had gathered. This was of more concern to Annas that the truth or falsity of Jesus’ teaching.
  3. John 18:20 tn Grk “Jesus answered him.”
  4. John 18:20 sn See the note on synagogue in 6:59.
  5. John 18:20 tn Grk “in the temple.”
  6. John 18:20 tn Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the Jewish people generally, for whom the synagogues and the temple courts in Jerusalem were important public gathering places. See also the note on the phrase “Jewish religious leaders” in v. 12.
  7. John 18:20 tn Grk “And I.” The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has not been translated here in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences.
  8. John 18:21 tn Grk “Ask those who heard what I said to them.” The words “to them” are not translated since they are redundant in English.
  9. John 18:21 tn Grk “Look, these know what I said.”
  10. John 18:22 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  11. John 18:22 tn Grk “one of the high priest’s servants standing by gave Jesus a strike, saying.” For the translation of ῥάπισμα (rhapisma), see L&N 19.4.
  12. John 18:23 tn Grk “Jesus answered him.”
  13. John 18:23 tn Or “something incorrect.”
  14. John 18:23 tn Grk “testify.”
  15. John 18:23 tn Or “incorrect.”
  16. John 18:24 tn Or “still bound.”
  17. John 18:24 sn Where was Caiaphas the high priest located? Did he have a separate palace, or was he somewhere else with the Sanhedrin? Since Augustine (4th century) a number of scholars have proposed that Annas and Caiaphas resided in different wings of the same palace, which were bound together by a common courtyard through which Jesus would have been led as he was taken from Annas to Caiaphas. This seems a reasonable explanation, although there is no conclusive evidence.