John 18:20

John 18:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
• New International Version (NIV)“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.

Context of John 18:20

18The servants and the guards were standing around a fire they had built and were warming themselves because it was cold. Peter was standing there, too, and warming himself with the others. 19The chief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teachings. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly for everyone to hear. I have always taught in synagogues or in the temple courtyard, where all the Jews gather. I haven’t said anything in secret. 21Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I said to them. They know what I’ve said.” 22When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing near Jesus slapped his face and said, “Is that how you answer the chief priest?”

John 18:20 word by word

ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ Ἰησοῦς· ἐγὼ παρρησίᾳ λελάληκα τῷ κόσμῳ. ἐγὼ πάντοτε ἐδίδαξα ἐν συναγωγῇ καὶ ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ὅπου πάντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι συνέρχονται, καὶ ἐν κρυπτῷ ἐλάλησα οὐδέν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• spakeλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• openlyπαρρησίαparrhēsia · boldnessG3954
• to the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• everπάντοτεpantote · alwaysG3842
• taughtδιδάσκωdidaskō · to teachG1321
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the synagogueσυναγωγήsunagōgē · synagogueG4864
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the templeἱερόνhieron · templeG2411
• whitherὅπουhopou · where(-ever)G3699
• the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
• resortσυνέρχομαιsunerchomai · to assembleG4905
• secretκρυπτόςkruptos · hiddenG2927
• nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762

Cross-references for John 18:20

• John 7:14When the festival was half over, Jesus went to the temple courtyard and began to teach.
• John 8:2Early the next morning he returned to the temple courtyard. All the people went to him, so he sat down and began to teach them.
• John 10:23Jesus was walking on Solomon’s porch in the temple courtyard.
• Psalms 22:22I will tell my people about your name. I will praise you within the congregation.
• Psalms 40:9I will announce the good news of righteousness among those assembled for worship. I will not close my lips. You know that, O Lord.
• Matthew 4:23Jesus went all over Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness among the people.
• Matthew 9:35Jesus went to all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness.
• Matthew 21:23Then Jesus went into the temple courtyard and began to teach. The chief priests and the leaders of the people came to him. They asked, “What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?”
• Matthew 26:65Then the chief priest tore his robes in horror and said, “He has dishonored God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You’ve just heard him dishonor God!
• Luke 4:15He taught in the synagogues, and everyone praised him.
• Luke 19:45Jesus went into the temple courtyard and began to throw out those who were selling things there.
• Luke 20:1One day Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courtyard and telling them the Good News. The chief priests, the experts in Moses’ Teachings, and the leaders came up to him.
• Luke 21:37During the day Jesus would teach in the temple courtyard. But at night he would go to the Mount of Olives (as it was called) and spend the night there.
• John 7:4No one does things secretly when he wants to be known publicly. If you do these things, you should let the world see you.”
• Isaiah 45:19I haven’t spoken privately or in some dark corner of the world. I didn’t say to Jacob’s descendants, “Search for me in vain!” I, the Lord, speak what is fair and say what is right.
• Isaiah 48:16Come here. Listen to this: From the beginning I have spoken nothing in private. From the time it took place, I was there. Now the Almighty Lord has sent me and his Spirit.

Commentaries on John 18:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20I spake openly to the world - To every person in the land indiscriminately - to the people at large: the ͅ ͅ, here, is tantamount to the French tout le monde, all the world, i.e. every person within reach. This is another proof that St. John uses the term world to mean the Jewish people only; for it is certain our Lord did not preach to the Gentiles. The answer of our Lord, mentioned in this and the following verse, is such as became a person conscious of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Openly to the world - If his doctrine had tended to excite sedition and tumult, if he had aimed to overthrow the government, he would have trained his friends in secret; he would have retired from public view, and would have laid his plans in private. This is the case with all who attempt to subvert existing establishments. Instead of that, he had proclaimed his views to all. He had done it in every place of public concourse in the synagogue and in the…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. 20-21Jesus's direct response reminded Annas that everything was public knowledge. This exposed the priest's attempt to follow Roman practice.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2119-21. The high priest ... asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine--probably to entrap Him into some statements which might be used against Him at the trial. From our Lord's answer it would seem that "His disciples" were understood to be some secret party. (Also see on Mr 14:54.)Read the comment

Topics related to John 18:20

• Court
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Priest
• Prisoners
• Synagogue
• Temple

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Annas
• Judge
• Resort
• Synagogue
• Cohort
• Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ, the Arrest and Trial of
• John, Gospel of

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