John 18:21
What does John 18:21 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:21 means
Jesus confidently challenges the high priest's method of interrogation, asking, \"Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.\" He argues that His teachings were widely known and publicly accessible, making a secret interrogation unnecessary and unjust. He directs them to external witnesses, asserting that the truth of His words would be readily confirmed by those who had heard Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why are you questioning me? put questions to my hearers about what I have said to them: they have knowledge of what I said.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862why me dost thou question? question those having heard what I spake to them; lo, these have known what I said.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why askest thou me? Ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them. Behold they know what things I have said.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Why demandest thou of me? Demand of those who have heard, what I have spoken to them; behold, they know what I have said.
Context
This verse immediately continues Jesus' defense, logically following His assertion of public ministry. It demonstrates His refusal to be complicit in an unjust, secretive trial process, instead appealing to due process and public testimony. This bold response, however, provokes a physical reaction from an officer, shifting the dynamic of the interrogation.
v.20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.
v.21This passage
v.22And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 22:67
If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
- Acts 24:12
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
- Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
- Mark 14:55
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.
- Acts 24:18
amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia—
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