Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
23. If I have spoken ] Rather (as at the end of Joh 18:20-21), If I spake (comp. Joh 13:14, Joh 15:16). This seems to shew that Christ does not refer, as our version would lead us to suppose, to His answer to the high-priest, but to the teaching about which He is being examined. He here gives His own illustration of His own precept (Mat 5:39); to exclude personal retaliation does not exclude calm protest and rebuke.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Spoken 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 Exo 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 thus showed that, though he had no disposition to take revenge, yet he claimed that, when arraigned, strict justice should be done. This shows that his precept that when we are smitten on one cheek we should turn the other Mat 5:39, is consistent with a firm demand that justice should be done us. That precept refers, besides, rather to private masters than to judicial proceedings. It does not demand that, when we are unjustly arraigned or assaulted, and when the law is in our favor, we should sacrifice our rights to the malignant accuser. Such a surrender would be injustice to the law and to the community, and be giving legal triumph to the wicked, and destroying the very end of all law. In private matters this effect would not follow, and we should there bear injuries without reviling or seeking for vengeance.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Our Saviour could easily have revenged himself upon this officer; but, to teach us our duty, he only gently reproves him, and lets him know that he did not behave himself as one ought to do in the face of a court of justice, where he had both a liberty and a present opportunity to have accused him, if he had spoken ill; and if he had spoken well, there was no reason for his striking him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. If I have spoken, &c.”ifI spoke” evil, in reply to the high priest. (Also see on Mr14:54.)
if wellHe does not say”If not” evil, as if His reply were merelyunobjectionable: “well” seems to challenge more thanthis as due to His remonstrance This shows that Mt5:39 is not to be taken to the letter.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Jesus answered him,…. For the high priest took no notice of him, nor any of the sanhedrim, though the action was so insolent and indecent, both as to the manner in which it was done, and the person, an officer, by whom it was done; and considering the circumstances of it, in the palace of the high priest, in his presence, and before so grand a council, and whilst a cause was trying; and it was a barbarous, as well as an impious action, considering the person to whom it was done. Wherefore Jesus replies to him, without making use of his divine power as the Son of God, or discovering any warmth of spirit, and heat of passion, as a man, mildly and rationally argues with him;
if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: meaning, either if he had, to his knowledge, delivered any wicked doctrine in the course of his ministry, or had at that time said any evil thing of the high priest, or any other person, he desires that he would make it to appear, and give proper proof and evidence of it:
but if well, why smitest thou me? If he had said nothing contrary to truth, reason, and good manners, then he ought not to be used and treated in such an injurious way. And moreover, the officer ought to have been corrected by the Council, and have been made to pay the two hundred “zuzim”, or pence, the line for such an affront, according to the Jewish canon, or more, according to the dignity of the person abused r.
r Misn. Bava Kama, c. 8. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
If I have spoken evil ( ). Condition of first class (assumed to be true), with and aorist active indicative. Jesus had not spoken evilly towards Annas, though he did not here turn the other cheek, one may note. For the sake of argument, Jesus puts it as if he did speak evilly. Then prove it, that is all.
Bear witness of the evil ( ). First aorist active imperative of , to testify. This is the conclusion (apodosis). Jesus is clearly entitled to proof of such a charge if there is any.
But if well ( ). Supply the same verb . The same condition, but with a challenging question as the apodosis.
Smitest (). Old verb , to flay, to skin, to beat, as in Matt 21:35; Luke 22:63; 2Cor 11:20 (of an insulting blow in the face as here).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Jesus answered him,” (apekrithe auto lesous) “Jesus answered him,” mildly, simply, but firmly, not acquiescing to derision, but affirming the truth and truthfulness of His teaching, testimony, and ministry about which He had been asked, Joh 18:19.
2) “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil:” (if I have spoken ill, witness concerning the ill,) just what evil I have done, specify it, define the evil, the crime. If I have not spoken specifically in harmony with procedures for establishing evidence under your law, the only law under which you all can judge me, tell me where I have erred, Num 35:30; Deu 17:6.
3) “But if well, why smitest thou me?”(ei de kalos ti me dereis) “Then if well or ideal I have spoken, why do you beat me?” Explain your actions in the light of your own law, 1Pe 2:19; 1Pe 2:23. The words, challenge was spoken calmly but firmly by Jesus, as John the beloved stood by as his blood surely boiled, as he saw his master maltreated in this manner, in a supposed religious court of equity.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. If I have spoken evil. That is, “If I have sinned, accuse me, that, when the cause has been tried, I may be punished according to the offense; for this is not a lawful mode of procedure, but very different order and very different modesty ought to be maintained in judicial courts.” Christ complains, therefore, that a grievous injury has been clone to him, if he has committed no offense, and that, even if he has committed an offense, still they ought to proceed in a lawful manner, and not with rage and violence.
But Christ appears not to observe, in the present instance, the rule which he elsewhere lays down to his followers; for he does not
hold out the right cheek to him who had struck him on the left, (Mat 5:39.)
I answer, in Christian patience it is not always the duty of him who has been struck to brook the injury done him, without saying a word, but, first, to endure it with patience, and, secondly, to give up all thoughts of revenge, and to endeavor to overcome evil by good, (Rom 12:21.) Wicked men are already too powerfully impelled by the spirit of Satan to do injury to others, in order that nobody may provoke them. It is a foolish exposition of Christ’s words, therefore, that is given by those who view them in such a light as if we were commanded to hold out fresh inducements to those who already are too much disposed to do mischief; for he means nothing else than that each of us should be more ready to bear a second injury than to take revenge for the first; so that there is nothing to prevent a Christian man from expostulating, when he has been unjustly treated, provided that his mind be free from rancour, and his hand from revenge.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil.Comp. Note on Mat. 5:39.
Bear witness of the evil.That is, Produce the evidence which the law requires.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Jesus answered him Though a mere retainer, Jesus as a man addresses him as a man, in the language of universal justice and reason. If I am wrong, demonstrate that wrong; if right, withhold violence.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Ver. 23. If I have spoken evil ] Christ bears with the officer’s insolence, but forbears not to clear his own innocence. We must, when aspersed, labour as the eclipsed moon, by keeping our motion, to wade out of the shadow and recover our former splendour.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23. ] . in a legal way.
“vim habet affirmandi,” Bengel. It has been often and well observed, that our Lord here gives us the best interpretation of Mat 5:39 that it does not exclude the remonstrating against unjust oppression, provided it be done calmly and patiently.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 18:23 . The calmness and reasonableness of Jesus’ retort to this blow impressed it on the memory of John, whose own blood would boil when he saw his Master struck by a servant.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
have spoken = spoke.
evil = evilly. Greek. kakos, adverb of kakos (App-128.) in next clause.
smitest. Greek. dero. Occurs fifteen times. Translated “beat” except here, Luk 22:63, and 2Co 11:20. It has been alleged against the Lord that He did not carry out His own precept in Mat 5:39. But those words were spoken during the first part of His ministry, when the kingdom was being proclaimed. See App-119. This was when the kingdom had been rejected, and the King was about to be crucified. Compare Luk 22:35-38.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23.] . in a legal way.
vim habet affirmandi, Bengel. It has been often and well observed, that our Lord here gives us the best interpretation of Mat 5:39-that it does not exclude the remonstrating against unjust oppression, provided it be done calmly and patiently.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 18:23. ) Hirs. Goth. Lat. in MS. Bodl. vet. and Luther, omit this word.-, bear witness) If I have spoken evil, then, and not till then, ceteris paribus (presuming that there are no other objections to that course of proceeding), bear witness, etc. The minister or officer had attempted to bear witness by means of the stroke itself, but wrongly.- , but if) This has the force of affirming [But since I have spoken well].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 18:23
Joh 18:23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?-Jesus plead, if there is evil in what he said, point it out, if no evil why should he be smitten. Moderation, self-control, and courage marked all that Jesus said or did. He was never excited or thrown into a temper. [Paul under similar circumstances (Act 23:3) answers like a man, but Jesus like the Prince of Peace. Usually those who are in the wrong resort to violence.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
If: 2Co 10:1, 1Pe 2:20-23
Reciprocal: 1Sa 26:18 – what have I 2Ch 18:23 – Zedekiah
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Jesus had only exercised his “constitutional right” in demanding that if any charge was to be lodged against him, it should be upon the statements of eye or ear witnesses. In the absence of even any attempt to secure such testimony, he protested that they had no right to smite him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 18:23. Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me? Bear witness here is certainly not equivalent to prove by bearing testimony in a regular manner, an injunction which would have been out of place. It is simply the solemn word demanded by the circumstances of the moment. Jesus is where He is by Divine appointment; and everything relating to His present state bears impress of the solemnity of His position.It is precisely in Johns manner that no answer to these words is recorded. The picture of submission is complete. Mere historical detail, such as might satisfy curiosity, is of subordinate interest to the Evangelist. The fact, however, that this is the case is worthy of notice. It helps to throw light upon that structure of the narrative as a whole which we have not yet examined.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 23
If I have spoken evil; meaning in the public instruction which he had given, as mentioned in John 18:20,21.