John 18 21

John 18:21 kjv

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

John 18:21 nkjv

Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."

John 18:21 niv

Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."

John 18:21 esv

Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said."

John 18:21 nlt

Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said."

John 18 verses

John 18 21 Meaning

Jesus answers the high priest directly, stating He always spoke publicly, not in secret, challenging the premise of the accusation. He taught openly in synagogues and the Temple, where many people could hear. His ministry was characterized by transparency and public proclamation of God's truth.

John 18 21 Context

This verse occurs during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus has been betrayed by Judas and is being questioned by the Jewish religious authorities, specifically the high priest, Caiaphas, and the council. The question from the high priest implies Jesus' disciples or followers are involved in the resistance or commotion during the arrest. Jesus' response redirects the focus from the implied furtiveness of His followers to the openness of His own teaching and ministry. This moment is a crucial point in Jesus' passion narrative, leading directly to His trial.

John 18 21 Word Analysis

• Καὶ (Kai): And. A common conjunction linking clauses or sentences.

• ἐγὼ (Ego): I. Emphatic personal pronoun, emphasizing "I" against the "them" implied in the question.

• ἐπ᾽ (Ep'): Upon, on, in. Preposition indicating location or sphere.

• παρρησίᾳ (Parresia): openly, frankly, boldly, with confidence. Key term emphasizing freedom of speech and lack of secrecy. Refers to public and unrestrained discourse.

• ἐλάλησα (Elalēsa): I spoke. First person singular, aorist active indicative of λαλέω (laléō), meaning to speak, talk, or say.

• τοῦ (Tou): Of. Genitive definite article.

• κόσμου (Kosmou): world. Genitive singular of κόσμος (kosmos). Refers to the general population or society, the public sphere.

• ἐν (En): in. Preposition indicating location within.

• συναγωγῇ (Synagogē): synagogue. Locative singular of συναγωγή (synagogḗ). A place of Jewish worship and assembly.

• καὶ (Kai): and.

• τοῖς (Tois): the. Dative plural definite article.

• ἱεροῖς (Hierois): temple. Dative plural of ἱερόν (hieron), referring to the Temple in Jerusalem and its precincts.

• τοῦ (Tou): of.

• θυσιαστηρίου (Thysiastēriou): altar. Genitive singular of θυσιαστήριον (thysiasthḗrion). Can also refer to the area around the altar or the entire Temple sanctuary. The phrasing suggests the most sacred and public area of the Temple.

• πολλάκις (Pollakis): often, many times. Adverb of frequency, emphasizing regularity and repeated public action.

• ἐφ᾽ (Eph'): in. Similar to the earlier ἐπ᾽, used here to indicate location or circumstances.

• luoghi (lieu). This is not a Greek word. This appears to be an extraneous inclusion.

• πάντοτε (Pantote): always. Adverb of time, reinforcing the constant nature of His public speaking.

• ἐν (En): in.

• τῷ (Tō): the.

• ἱερῷ (Hierō): temple. Locative singular of ἱερόν (hieron).

• Word Group: ἐπὶ παρρησίᾳ ἐλάλησα τοῦ κόσμου (ep' parresía elálēsa tou kósmou): "I spoke to the world in boldness/openness." This phrase highlights Jesus' public ministry, contrasting it with the clandestine nature of His arrest. The world (κόσμου) encompasses all people, and His speaking was for all to hear.

• Word Group: ἐν συναγωγῇ καὶ τοῖς ἱεροῖς τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου (en synagogē kai tois hierois tou thysiasthēriou): "in a synagogue and in the temple precincts/sacred place." This specifies the common and authorized venues where Jesus taught, underscoring the public and legitimate nature of His teaching.

John 18 21 Bonus Section

The term "temple" (ἱερῷ) could refer specifically to the inner sanctuary or the broader complex. Jesus, as a Jew, taught in the publicly accessible courts of the Temple, not the Holy of Holies, adhering to religious custom while still reaching the masses. The "altar" (τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου) as part of the description further emphasizes the most sacred and visible center of Jewish worship, where His teaching resonated. The opposition sought to frame Jesus and His movement as secretive or subversive, but Jesus’ consistent public ministry negated such claims and affirmed His role as a clear, divine teacher. His teaching in the Temple often involved direct engagement with the populace and challenging the established religious order on their own turf, making His ministry inherently public and confrontational to His detractors.

John 18 21 Commentary

Jesus' statement is a powerful defense and a rhetorical counter-accusation. By emphasizing "openly" (parresía), Jesus contrasts His own transparent ministry with the surreptitious actions of those arresting Him. He deliberately chooses public spaces like synagogues and the Temple, which were central to Jewish life and worship, to proclaim His message. This was not obscure teaching but rather public discourse addressed to "the world." His reference to speaking "often" (pollakis) and "always" (pantote) reinforces His consistent practice of public witness, supported by countless events throughout the Gospels where He taught crowds, debated religious leaders in public settings, and performed miracles openly. He directly challenges the implication that He or His followers operate in secrecy. This is foundational to His identity as the Light of the world and the public manifestation of God.