John 18:19-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 18:13-27

We have here an account of Christ's arraignment before the high priest, and some circumstances that occurred therein which were omitted by the other evangelists; and Peter's denying him, which the other evangelists had given the story of entire by itself, is interwoven with the other passages. The crime laid to his charge having relation to religion, the judges of the spiritual court took it to fall directly under their cognizance. Both Jews and Gentiles seized him, and so both Jews and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:19

The high priest then asked Jesus ,.... Being now brought from Annas to Caiaphas, who was the high priest and mouth of the sanhedrim, and to whom it appertained to hear and try a cause relating to doctrine. And what he did was by putting questions to him, instead of opening the charge against him, and calling for witnesses to support it. The person he interrogated was a greater high priest than himself; was that prophet Moses spoke of, to whom the Jews were to hearken, and no other than the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:20

Jesus answered him ,.... Not to the first of these questions, concerning his disciples; not because they had all now forsaken him, and one was denying him; nor because he would not betray them; nor because he would suffer alone; but because if his doctrine was good; it could not be blameworthy to have disciples, and to teach them: and the charge of sedition, blasphemy, and idolatry, they wanted to fasten on him, would sufficiently appear to be groundless by the doctrine he preached; and as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:21

Why askest thou me ?.... He seems surprised at the high priest's conduct, that he should put such questions to him, who stood bound before him; was brought there as a criminal, and was the defendant, and not obliged to accuse himself; nor could it be thought, that whatever evidence or testimony he should give, would have much weight with the persons before whom he stood. Ask them which heard me, what I said unto them ; he appeals to his hearers, many of whom were then present; and these... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:22

And when he had thus spoken ,.... What was so right and reasonable, in so becoming a manner, without heat or passion: one of the officers which stood by ; it may be one of those who had been sent to him and had been a hearer of him, whom Jesus might look wistfully at, or point unto, when he said the above words, at which he might be provoked: and therefore stroke Jesus with the palm of his hand ; or gave him a rap with a rod, or smote him with a staff, as some think, is the sense of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:23

Jesus answered him ,.... For the high priest took no notice of him, nor any of the sanhedrim, though the action was so insolent and indecent, both as to the manner in which it was done, and the person, an officer, by whom it was done; and considering the circumstances of it, in the palace of the high priest, in his presence, and before so grand a council, and whilst a cause was trying; and it was a barbarous, as well as an impious action, considering the person to whom it was done. Wherefore... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:19

Asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine - He probably asked him by what authority, or in virtue of what right, he collected disciples, formed a different sect, preached a new doctrine, and set himself up for a public reformer? As religion was interested in these things, the high priest was considered as being the proper judge. But all this, with what follows, was transacted by night, and this was contrary to established laws. For the Talmud states, Sanhed. c. iv. s. 1, that -... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:20

I spake openly to the world - To every person in the land indiscriminately - to the people at large: the τῳ κοσμῳ , here, is tantamount to the French tout le monde, all the world, i.e. every person within reach. This is another proof that St. John uses the term world to mean the Jewish people only; for it is certain our Lord did not preach to the Gentiles. The answer of our Lord, mentioned in this and the following verse, is such as became a person conscious of his own innocence, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:22

One of the officers - struck Jesus - This was an outrage to all justice: for a prisoner, before he is condemned, is ever considered to be under the especial protection of justice; nor has any one a right to touch him, but according to the direction of the law. But it has been observed before that, if justice had been done to Christ, he could neither have suffered nor died. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:19

Verse 19 19.The high priest then asked Jesus. The high priest interrogates Christ, as if he had been some seditious person, who had split the Church into parties by collecting disciples; and he interrogates him as if he had been a false prophet, who had endeavored to corrupt the purity of the faith by new and perverse doctrines. Our Lord (140) Jesus Christ, having completely and faithfully discharged the office of teacher, does not enter into a new defense; but, that he may not abandon the... read more

Group of Brands