Jesus Questioned by the High Priest

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

20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

22 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?”

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

24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. — John 18:19-24.

The high priest asks Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. Jesus answers that he taught plainly in the synagogues and the temple and never in secret. So, he should ask those who had heard Him for they knew His teachings. At this, one of the soldiers unfairly slaps Jesus even though His answer was factual. Jesus wants to know why He is unfairly slapped.

Annas sends Jesus bound to Caiaphas the high priest. The illegal and mock trial of Jesus has begun.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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