John 18 23

John 18:23 kjv

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

John 18:23 nkjv

Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"

John 18:23 niv

"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"

John 18:23 esv

Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?"

John 18:23 nlt

Jesus replied, "If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I'm speaking the truth, why are you beating me?"

John 18 verses

John 18 23 Meaning

Jesus' response in John 18:23 is a profound assertion of justice and truth in the face of unlawful violence and abuse of authority. When struck by an officer for His manner of speaking to the high priest, Jesus challenges the act not with retaliation, but with a demand for due process. He offers two conditional arguments: if He spoke wrongly (meaning something false, evil, or legally actionable), the officer should provide witness and evidence of that wrong. However, if He spoke rightly (meaning truthfully and properly), then the unprovoked striking is an inexcusable act of injustice, exposing the hypocrisy and lawlessness of His captors. It underscores Jesus' unwavering commitment to righteousness even as He undergoes an unjust trial.

John 18 23 Context

This verse takes place during the preliminary Jewish interrogation of Jesus, following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. After being brought to Annas, the influential former high priest and father-in-law to the current high priest Caiaphas, Jesus is questioned about His disciples and His teaching (John 18:19). Jesus' response in John 18:20-21 affirms that He taught openly in public and synagogue, and encourages His interrogators to ask those who heard Him. This calm and truthful defense, however, is met with an unjustified blow from one of the officers present (John 18:22), presumably for perceived disrespect or audacity towards the high priest. John 18:23 is Jesus' direct and reasoned challenge to this illegal act, setting the stage for the deeply unjust trial proceedings that follow, which systematically violated numerous Jewish legal codes regarding testimony, self-incrimination, and physical assault on a prisoner.

John 18 23 Word analysis

• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The name identifies the central figure, who maintains His composure and divine authority even in humiliation. His action here highlights His conscious will to suffer justly and His identity as the ultimate truth-teller.
• answered (ἀπεκρίθη - apekrithē): Signifies a deliberate, thought-out reply, not a spontaneous emotional outburst. It is a reasoned defense.
• him (αὐτῷ - autō): Directly refers to the officer who struck Him. Jesus challenges the specific individual responsible for the unjust act, personifying the injustice.
• “If (εἰ - ei): Introduces a conditional statement, posing a logical dilemma to His assailant. It's a legal framework for evaluation.
• I have spoken (ἐγὼ ἐλάλησα - egō elalēsa): Refers to Jesus' previous statements to Annas regarding His public teachings, challenging the officer's presumption of wrong speech.
• wrongly (κακῶς - kakōs): Greek for "badly," "evilly," "wrongly," or "falsely." It implies something morally, ethically, or legally objectionable in His words, deserving punishment or rebuke. Jesus demands proof for this claim.
• bear witness (μαρτύρησον - martyreson): A legal term, meaning "testify," "give evidence," or "provide proof." This challenges the officer to follow due process, implying that without such testimony, the strike is arbitrary.
• about the wrong (περὶ τοῦ κακοῦ - peri tou kakou): "Concerning the evil/wrong thing." Specifies the object for which witness is demanded – His supposed offensive words.
• but if (εἰ δὲ - ei de): Introduces the alternative condition, a rhetorical question of contrasting righteousness.
• rightly (καλῶς - kalōs): Greek for "well," "goodly," "honorably," "properly," "truthfully." It's the opposite of kakōs, implying His speech was blameless, truthful, and fitting.
• why (τί - ti): An interrogative, seeking justification or reason. It exposes the lack of legitimate cause for the officer's action.
• do you strike (με δέρεις - me dereis): The verb derō signifies a physical beating, often a severe one (to flay, skin, beat, whip). It highlights the brutality and injustice of the assault.

Words-Group by words-Group analysis:

• "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness about the wrong": This phrase serves as a legal challenge. Jesus invites scrutiny of His words and demands adherence to the Law, which requires evidence and witness for an accusation (Deut 19:15). He positions Himself as one seeking justice, not retaliation.
• "but if rightly, why do you strike me?": This rhetorical question highlights the blatant injustice of the physical assault. If His words were blameless, the strike is completely unwarranted, exposing the officer's unlawful behavior and the corrupt nature of the entire proceeding. It appeals to a higher moral standard and basic fairness.

John 18 23 Bonus section

• This incident marks the first recorded physical abuse Jesus endured during His passion, a stark illustration of the escalating violence and injustice that characterized His arrest and trial.
• Jesus' response here is a teaching moment: rather than reacting violently to violence, He employs logic and law, challenging His aggressor to adhere to the very principles he ostensibly represents.
• The high priest's officer striking Jesus for simply "answering like that" (John 18:22) reveals the contempt and lack of genuine desire for justice on the part of the Jewish authorities. They were interested in a conviction, not an investigation.
• Jesus’ direct engagement with His assailant, as opposed to simply remaining silent (as He often did later before Pilate and Herod), underscores the immediate and flagrant breach of legal decorum that the strike represented. He challenged a specific, unlawful action.

John 18 23 Commentary

In John 18:23, Jesus' response to being struck transcends mere self-defense; it's a profound statement on justice, truth, and divine authority amidst human depravity. His challenge is not a physical one, but a legal and moral demand for accountability. By calling for testimony if He spoke "wrongly," Jesus upholds the very principles of Mosaic law that His accusers were flagrantly violating in their "trial." He forces them to confront the absence of evidence for any alleged transgression. Conversely, by asking "why do you strike me?" if He spoke "rightly," Jesus exposes the malicious and arbitrary nature of their actions. This was not a response born of anger, but a calm, authoritative affirmation of His blamelessness and a prophetic indictment of the spiritual darkness operating within the religious leadership. Jesus did not seek revenge; He sought righteousness, demonstrating how one can endure suffering with dignity while still upholding truth.