John 18:23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
John 18:23 in other translations
| BSB | Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?” |
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| WEB | Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?” |
| ASV | Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? |
| YLT | Jesus answered him, ‘If I spake ill, testify concerning the ill; and if well, why me dost thou smite?' |
| DARBY | Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me? |
| BBE | Jesus said in answer, If I have said anything evil, give witness to the evil: but if I said what is true, why do you give me blows? |
| Webster | Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear testimony of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? |
What does John 18:23 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
But if well, 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 (Mt 5:39), is consistent with a firm demand that justice should be done us. That precept refers, besides, rather to private matters than to judicial proceedings. It does not demand that, when we are unjustly arraigned or assaulted, and when the law is in our favour, 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.
(q) "but if well" 1Pet 2:19-23
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 18:13-27
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…
John 18:23 in the original Greek
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Cross references for John 18:23
- 1 Peter 2:20-23
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
- 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
- Matthew 5:39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- Acts 23:2-5
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 18:22
And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
- John 18:23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
- John 18:24
Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:23 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Respondióle Jesús: Si he hablado mal, da testimonio del mal: y si bien, ¿por qué me hieres? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Jésus lui répondit: Si j’ai mal parlé, rends témoignage du mal; mais si j’ai bien parlé, pourquoi me frappes-tu? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Jesus antwortete ihm: Wenn ich übel geredet habe, so gib Zeugnis von dem Übel; wenn aber recht, was schlägst du mich? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Respondit ei Jesus: Si male locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo: si autem bene, quid me cædis? |