John 18:19-27 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The high-priest then asked Jesus As he stood before him; of his disciples, and of his doctrine What it was that he taught, and with what view he had gathered so many followers. In these questions there was a great deal of art. For, as the crime laid to our Lord's charge was, that he set himself up for the Messiah, and deluded the people, they expected he would claim that dignity in their presence, and so, without further trouble, they would have condemned him on his own confession. But, to oblige a prisoner to confess what might take away his life, being an unjust method of procedure, Jesus complained of it with reason, and bade them prove what they laid to his charge, by witnesses. Jesus answered, I spake openly, &c. What I have taught has been delivered in the most public manner. I ever taught in the synagogue As I had opportunity; and in the temple, whither the Jews resort In the greatest numbers; and in secret have I said nothing Even to my most intimate friends, but what has been perfectly agreeable to the tenor of my public discourses. Why askest thou me Whom thou wilt not believe? It was greatly to the honour of our Lord's character, that all his actions were done in public, under the eye even of his enemies; because, had he been carrying on any imposture, the lovers of truth and goodness would thus have had abundant opportunities to have detected him. With propriety, therefore, in this defence, he appealed to that part of his character; nevertheless, his answer was thought disrespectful. For, when he had spoken, one of the officers Belonging to the court; struck Jesus, saying, Answerest thou the high- priest so? With so little reverence? Jesus answered With his usual mildness; If I have spoken evil Any thing false or improper; bear witness of the evil Show wherein it lies; but if well, why smitest thou me Can reason be answered by blows? Or, can such a sober appeal to it deserve them? Thus Jesus became an example of his own precept, (Matthew 5:44,) bearing the greatest injuries with a patience that could not be provoked. Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest The evangelist mentions that Jesus was sent to the high-priest, because he had before said that he was sent first to Annas, the high-priest's father-in-law. Moreover, he takes notice that he was sent bound, to show the inhumanity of the officer who struck him in that condition. Of what took place while Jesus stood before the high-priest, see the notes on Matthew 26:59-68.