John 18:23

John 18:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
• New International Version (NIV)“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

Context of John 18:23

21Why question Me? Question those who have heard what I said to them. They know what I said.” 22But when He said this, one of the officers who was standing nearby struck Jesus [in the face], saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?” Jesus replied, “If I have said anything wrong, make a formal statement about the wrong; but if [I spoke] properly, why did you strike Me?” 24So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25Now Simon Peter was [still] standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

John 18:23 word by word

ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ Ἰησοῦς· εἰ κακῶς ἐλάλησα, μαρτύρησον περὶ τοῦ κακοῦ· εἰ δὲ καλῶς, τί με δέρεις;¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• I have spokenλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• evilκακῶςkakōs · badlyG2560
• bear witnessμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• ofπερίperi · aboutG4012
• the evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• butδέde · thenG1161
• wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
• whyτίςtis · which?G5101
• smitest thouδέρωderō · to beat upG1194
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for John 18:23

• 2 Corinthians 10:1Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!
• 1 Peter 2:20After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.

Commentaries on John 18:23

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Spoken evil - In my answer to the high priest. If there was any disrespect to the office, and lack of regard for the law which appointed him, then testify to the fact, and let punishment be inflicted according to the law; compare Exodus 22:28. But if well … - While an accused person is on trial he is under the protection of the court, and has a right to demand that all legal measures shall be taken to secure his rights. On this right Jesus insisted, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-27Verses 13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said nothing concerning the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-23When Jesus reminded Annas about the correct legal procedure, one of the temple guards thought he was being disrespectful. The guard slapped Jesus. However, Jesus knew the law well and spoke truthfully. There were no witnesses accusing him, and no evidence was presented against him.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. If I have spoken, &c.--"if I spoke" evil, in reply to the high priest. (Also see on Mr 14:54.) if well--He does not say "If not" evil, as if His reply were merely unobjectionable: "well" seems to challenge more than this as due to His remonstrance This shows that Mt 5:39 is not to be taken to the letter.Read the comment

Topics related to John 18:23

• Court
• Jesus Continued
• Malice
• Persecution
• Priest
• Prisoners

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Annas
• Judge
• Resort
• Cohort
• Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ, the Arrest and Trial of
• John, Gospel of
• Law in the New Testament

Commentaries on John 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings