Jean 18:21

21 Pourquoi m'interroges-tu? Interroge ceux qui ont entendu ce que je leur ai dit; ces gens-là savent ce que j'ai dit.

Jean 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

John 18:21

Why askest thou me?
&c.] He seems surprised at the high priest's conduct, that he should put such questions to him, who stood bound before him; was brought there as a criminal, and was the defendant, and not obliged to accuse himself; nor could it be thought, that whatever evidence or testimony he should give, would have much weight with the persons before whom he stood.

Ask them which heard me, what I said unto them;
he appeals to his hearers, many of whom were then present; and these his enemies, even his worst enemies, so clear was his case, so free was his doctrine from sedition and blasphemy, so innocent was he in the whole of his deportment and conduct, that he even submits to have his case issued and determined by what his hearers should say of him; and these not his friends, but his enemies; see ( Isaiah 50:8 ) ;

behold, they,
or these,

know what I have said;
pointing at some persons present, perhaps the very officers who had been sent to take him before, but returned without him, declaring that never man spake like him.

Jean 18:21 In-Context

19 Et le souverain sacrificateur interrogea Jésus sur ses disciples, et sa doctrine.
20 Jésus lui répondit: J'ai parlé ouvertement au monde; j'ai toujours enseigné dans la synagogue et dans le temple, où les Juifs s'assemblent de toutes parts, et je n'ai rien dit en cachette.
21 Pourquoi m'interroges-tu? Interroge ceux qui ont entendu ce que je leur ai dit; ces gens-là savent ce que j'ai dit.
22 Lorsqu'il eut dit cela, un des sergents qui était présent donna un soufflet à Jésus, en lui disant: Est-ce ainsi que tu réponds au souverain sacrificateur?
23 Jésus lui répondit: Si j'ai mal parlé, fais voir ce que j'ai dit de mal; mais si j'ai bien parlé, pourquoi me frappes-tu?
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.