Devine Scripture

John 18:22

What does John 18:22 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:22 means

Immediately after Jesus' bold response, an officer standing nearby physically strikes Jesus. This officer verbally rebukes Jesus, saying, \"Answerest thou the high priest so?\" This act of violence was not only a violation of Jewish legal procedure, which prohibited striking a prisoner before a verdict, but also a stark demonstration of the contempt and lack of respect shown toward Jesus from the outset of His trial. It reveals the hostile environment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

When he said this, one of the police by his side gave him a blow with his open hand, saying, Do you give such an answer to the high priest?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he having said these things, one of the officers standing by did give Jesus a slap, saying, `Thus dost thou answer the chief priest?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high priest so?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But as he said these things, one of the officers who stood by gave a blow on the face to Jesus, saying, Answerest thou the high priest thus?

Context

This verse describes a sudden, violent reaction to Jesus' challenging defense, highlighting the illegality and injustice of the trial. It marks a moment of physical abuse, contrasting sharply with Jesus' composed and logical argument. This act precedes Jesus' gracious, yet firm, response to the injustice.

v.21Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.

v.22This passage

v.23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 18:3

    Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

  • Jeremiah 20:2

    Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah.

  • Job 16:10

    They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.

  • Job 30:10

    They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And spare not to spit in my face.

  • Matthew 26:67

    Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,

  • Luke 22:63

    And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.

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