Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”
- KJV Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
- NKJV Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”
- NASB Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”
- NLT Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus calmly asks that if he spoke wrongly, they should bear witness to it, but if rightly, why strike him? He answers injustice with truth.
Overview
Rather than retaliating, Jesus exposes the wrongness of the blow by appealing to evidence and justice. His measured response is consistent with his own teaching, while still speaking truth to power. He embodies the innocent sufferer who, when reviled, does not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23), entrusting himself to the Father.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Pet 2:20–23How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- Matt 5:39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
- 2 Cor 10:1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
- Acts 23:2–5At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 18:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.