John 18 22

John 18:22 kjv

And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

John 18:22 nkjv

And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?"

John 18:22 niv

When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

John 18:22 esv

When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"

John 18:22 nlt

Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. "Is that the way to answer the high priest?" he demanded.

John 18 verses

John 18 22 Meaning

Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if I have spoken well, why do you strike me?" This verse records Jesus' calm and logical response to the injustice of being struck while awaiting judgment. It highlights His commitment to truth and His expectation of fair process, even in a hostile environment.

John 18 22 Context

This verse occurs during Jesus' arrest and interrogation at the house of the high priest Caiaphas. Following Jesus' earlier conversation with Annas, He is brought before Caiaphas. One of the high priest's servants, in a moment of impious aggression, strikes Jesus. This action precedes any formal questioning or accusation, representing a violation of judicial process and basic decency. The surrounding events detail the unrighteous proceedings against Jesus, which include false testimony and condemnation without a just hearing.

John 18 22 Word Analysis

• εἰ (ei): If (introduces a conditional clause)

• ἐγὼ (egō): I (emphatic personal pronoun)

• εἴ τι (ei ti): If anything, if anything at all

• φαῦλον (phaulon): Evil, bad, wrong, base, worthless. In a moral sense, wickedness or sin. Here, referring to spoken error or offense.

• ἐλάλησα (elalēsa): I spoke (aorist active indicative of λαλέω - laleō, to speak)

• μαρτύρησον (martyrēson): Bear witness, testify (aorist imperative active of μαρτυρέω - martyreō, to bear witness). A call for evidence or testimony to the wrong committed.

• περὶ (peri): Concerning, about.

• τοῦ (tou): The (definite article)

• φαύλου (phaulou): Of the evil, of the bad.

• εἰ (ei): If

• δὲ (de): But, and (coordinating conjunction)

• καλῶς (kalōs): Well, rightly, good. Adverbial form of καλός (kalos).

• ἐλάλησα (elalēsa): I spoke (same as above)

• τί (ti): Why? (interrogative pronoun)

• με (me): Me (accusative personal pronoun)

• δέ(de): But (emphasizing contrast)

• δέρεις(dereis): You strike, you beat (present indicative active of δέρω - derō, to skin, to beat). It implies a physical blow.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil": This entire phrase is Jesus' challenge. He is asking for substantiation of any wrongdoing in His speech. The conditional "if" sets up a fair legal challenge.
  • "bear witness of the evil": This points to the necessity of evidence according to the law. A simple accusation is insufficient; proof is required.
  • "but if I have spoken well": This presents the alternative, that His words were correct.
  • "why do you strike me?": This is the core of His protest. The action of striking is unwarranted and unjust given the preceding statement. It underscores the abuse of power and the absence of due process.

John 18 22 Bonus Section

The Greek verb "δέρω" (derō), translated as "strike," can imply a beating or scourging. This highlights the immediate physical assault Jesus endured. The response itself reflects the rhetorical skill of Jesus, who uses logic to expose the irrationality and injustice of His captors. It’s a display of inner strength and control amidst chaos. The lack of response from the servant or others implies they had no valid "evil" to point to in Jesus' previous statements. This event foreshadows the larger rejection and unjust suffering Jesus would undergo.

John 18 22 Commentary

Jesus' response here is marked by divine dignity and prophetic foreknowledge. He appealed to the principle of justice, that accusation must be accompanied by evidence. The Old Testament Law, as in Deuteronomy 19:15, required testimony from witnesses. The act of striking Jesus before He was found guilty was a transgression against justice and implied a premeditated malice. His question implicitly accuses the servant and, by extension, the system he represents, of lacking grounds for such violence. Jesus consistently upheld truth and divine standards, even when facing the greatest injustice. This moment reflects His suffering as foretold in Isaiah 50:6.