First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas.
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20 Jesus 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.
21 Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
[Jesus indeed spoke some things privately ( Matthew 13:10 Matthew 13:11 ), the purposes of concealment ( Matthew 10:27 ). Jesus was the light of the world; addressing his teachings to all flesh, he chose the most public places to utter them--places, however, dedicated to the worship of the true God. He who had said that heaven and earth would pass away, but that his word would not pass away, did not suffer his teaching to be held in contempt; he did not permit it to be made matter for cross examination. On the contrary, it was to be taken cognizance of among the things universally known and understood. The very officers who had arrested him could tell about it-- John 7:45 John 7:46 .]21 Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
22 And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
[Jesus was then under arrest, and as the trial had not yet opened there was ample time to add new matter to the charges against him. If, in addressing the high priest, he had just spoken words worthy of punishment, the officer who struck him should, instead, have preferred charges against him and had him punished in a legal manner. If the officer could not do this (and the point is that he could not), he was doubly wrong in striking him. Thus the Lord calmly rebuked the wrong-doer. Compare his conduct with that of Paul under somewhat similar circumstances ( Acts 23:1-3 ). Jesus exemplified his teaching at Matthew 5:39 . "Christ," says Luther, "forbids self-defense with the hand, not with the tongue."]23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?