John 18 19

John 18:19 kjv

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

John 18:19 nkjv

The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

John 18:19 niv

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

John 18:19 esv

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

John 18:19 nlt

Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them.

John 18 verses

John 18 19 Meaning

John 18:19 details the initial informal interrogation of Jesus by the high priest Annas after His arrest. Annas questions Jesus specifically about His followers, known as "His disciples," and the substance of "His teaching." This inquiry was not a genuine search for truth but a strategic maneuver to gather incriminating evidence against Jesus, aiming to uncover anything that could be construed as seditious or blasphemous in preparation for an official trial and conviction.

John 18 19 Context

John 18:19 takes place immediately after Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Roman soldiers and temple guards, led by Judas, had bound Jesus and brought Him directly to Annas (Jn 18:12-13). Annas, though deposed by the Romans as High Priest years prior, remained highly influential. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the current High Priest, and presided over a powerful sacerdotal dynasty. This initial interrogation by Annas was an unofficial preliminary hearing, likely a fishing expedition for self-incriminating testimony from Jesus, to solidify charges before transferring Him to the official High Priest, Caiaphas, for the formal Sanhedrin trial. The purpose was to gather enough "evidence" to justify conviction and, ultimately, Roman execution, without appearing to condemn an innocent man openly. The atmosphere was one of hostile judicial maneuvering, not a search for justice or truth.

John 18 19 Word analysis

• The high priest (Ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, Ho archiereus): Refers to Annas (see Jn 18:13), not Caiaphas, the official High Priest at this time. This highlights Annas' enduring authority and political cunning, operating as the behind-the-scenes power broker. His unofficial yet potent role underscores the perversion of the religious justice system. The title itself normally denotes the supreme religious authority, a role Annas was keen to exert, even without formal office.
• then questioned (ἐπηρώτησεν, epērōtēsen): This Greek verb indicates a seeking of information, often in an investigative or inquisitive manner. Here, it is less about honest inquiry and more about interrogation with an agenda. It implies a demand for specific information, reflecting Annas' intention to pry for incriminating statements. This was not a trial or formal proceeding, but an unofficial attempt to gain a confession or evidence for a later formal accusation.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦν, Iēsoun): The name emphasizes His identity as the Messiah, who is now enduring the unjust process set in motion by those who should have recognized Him. His steadfastness amidst this adversity underlines His divine nature and fulfillment of prophetic suffering.
• about his disciples (περὶ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, peri tōn mathētōn autou): Annas' concern about Jesus' disciples points to a fear of His following. A large group of followers could be perceived as a potential insurrection against Roman authority or a schismatic movement against established Jewish leadership. This query sought to ascertain the size, allegiance, and potential threat posed by Jesus' movement, to determine if they had a rebellious agenda or had been taught seditious doctrines.
• and his teaching (καὶ περὶ τῆς διδαχῆς αὐτοῦ, kai peri tēs didachēs autou): This line of questioning aimed at the core of Jesus' message. Was it heretical according to Jewish law (e.g., blasphemy, claiming divinity)? Was it politically subversive against Rome? They were looking for any teaching that would undermine their authority, disturb the peace, or could be used to secure a death penalty. Jesus' public ministry and His radical interpretation of the Torah, along with His claims about Himself, were sources of conflict with the religious establishment.

Words-group analysis:

• "The high priest then questioned Jesus": This phrasing highlights the inversion of roles; the one claiming ultimate spiritual authority questions the very Son of God, not for understanding, but for condemnation. It sets the stage for a dramatic conflict between divine truth and human manipulation.
• "about his disciples and his teaching": These two areas encompass the complete scope of Jesus' public ministry. His influence (disciples) and His message (teaching) were perceived as the twin threats by the religious authorities. It implies they understood the impact of both, making this a strategic attack on the foundations of His movement. They are trying to separate the person from the movement, or tie them together for a consolidated condemnation.

John 18 19 Bonus section

• Illegality by Jewish Law: Traditional Jewish legal procedure (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1) prohibited capital trials, or even examinations related to capital charges, at night or on the eve of a Sabbath/festival. Annas' interrogation was a blatant violation of these norms, underscoring the corrupt and predetermined nature of Jesus' trial. This initial questioning during the night demonstrates their urgency and disregard for due process.
• Annas's Shrewdness: Annas's reputation in historical accounts points to his being a pragmatic and shrewd political operator. He would have known exactly what kind of information he needed to present to Caiaphas (and ultimately Pilate) to secure Jesus' conviction without stirring up too much public unrest. His approach here is methodical and manipulative, characteristic of his known political style.
• Shift from Public to Private: Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught openly in synagogues and the temple (Jn 18:20). Annas's decision to question Him privately highlights a desire to conduct affairs outside public scrutiny, a stark contrast to Jesus' transparency and indicative of the darkness in which the religious leaders operated.

John 18 19 Commentary

John 18:19 unveils the true intent of Jesus' religious adversaries. The interrogation by Annas, the influential former high priest, was a deliberate attempt to incriminate Jesus before His official trial. Annas was less interested in justice or religious truth than in consolidating power and neutralizing a perceived threat to the Jewish establishment, particularly its relationship with Rome. By focusing on Jesus' "disciples" and "teaching," Annas sought to uncover any evidence of sedition, political uprising, or religious blasphemy that could lead to a swift condemnation. This was a "pre-trial" meant to generate confessions or inconsistencies to be used against Jesus, rather than to discern truth. Jesus, in His response (Jn 18:20-21), brilliantly counters by referencing His open, public ministry, refusing to engage in their private, manipulative quest for dirt. The episode reveals the corruption of religious power seeking to suppress the truth.