John 18:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yeshua answered, “I have spoken quite openly to everyone; I have always taught in a synagogue or in the Temple where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret;

Berean Standard Bible:

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.

American Standard Version:

Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Jesus^{G2424} answered^{G611} him^{G846}, I^{G1473} spake^{G2980} openly^{G3954} to the world^{G2889}; I^{G1473} ever^{G3842} taught^{G1321} in^{G1722} the synagogue^{G4864}, and^{G2532} in^{G1722} the temple^{G2411}, whither^{G3699} the Jews^{G2453} always^{G3842} resort^{G4905}; and^{G2532} in^{G1722} secret^{G2927} have I said^{G2980} nothing^{G3762}.

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Commentary for John 18:20

John 18:20 is a verse that captures a moment during Jesus' trial before the high priest Annas, as recorded in the Gospel of John. In this verse, Jesus is responding to a question about His teachings and disciples. The historical context is the night of Jesus' arrest, which occurs during the Passover festival in Jerusalem. This period is marked by heightened religious and political tension, as Jerusalem is crowded with Jews from various parts of the Roman Empire.

The themes of this verse include Jesus' public ministry, His adherence to Jewish religious traditions, and His transparency. Jesus emphasizes that His teachings have not been clandestine or subversive; rather, He has spoken openly in the most public of Jewish religious spaces—the synagogues and the temple—where Jewish religious authorities and the people regularly gather. By stating that He has said nothing in secret, Jesus is asserting the public and accessible nature of His ministry. This declaration underscores His honesty and integrity, as well as the boldness with which He has conveyed His message, despite the potential for controversy and danger.

In essence, John 18:20 highlights Jesus' commitment to truth and His rejection of any accusation of hidden or deceitful conduct. This verse reflects the broader Johannine theme of Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness, bringing truth into the open (John 1:5; 3:20-21). It also serves to foreshadow the eventual conflict between Jesus' message and the religious establishment, leading to His crucifixion.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2980
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λαλέω
   Transliteration: laléō
   Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3954
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παῤῥησία
   Transliteration: parrhēsía
   Pronunciation: par-rhay-see'-ah
   Description: from πᾶς and a derivative of ῥέω; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness).
   
7. Strong's Number: G2889
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κόσμος
   Transliteration: kósmos
   Pronunciation: kos'-mos
   Description: probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3842
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πάντοτε
   Transliteration: pántote
   Pronunciation: pan'-tot-eh
   Description: from πᾶς and ὅτε; every when, i.e. at all times:--alway(-s), ever(-more).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1321
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διδάσκω
   Transliteration: didáskō
   Pronunciation: did-as'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application):--teach.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4864
    There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συναγωγή
    Transliteration: synagōgḗ
    Pronunciation: soon-ag-o-gay'
    Description: from (the reduplicated form of) συνάγω; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church:--assembly, congregation, synagogue.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2411
    There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἱερόν
    Transliteration: hierón
    Pronunciation: hee-er-on'
    Description: neuter of ἱερός; a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas ναός denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere):--temple.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3699
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅπου
    Transliteration: hópou
    Pronunciation: hop'-oo
    Description: from ὅς and πού; what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever), whither (+ soever).
    
15. Strong's Number: G2453
    There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
    Transliteration: Ioudaîos
    Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
    Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
    
16. Strong's Number: G4905
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνέρχομαι
    Transliteration: synérchomai
    Pronunciation: soon-er'-khom-ahee
    Description: from σύν and ἔρχομαι; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally):--accompany, assemble (with), come (together), come (company, go) with, resort.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2927
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κρυπτός
    Transliteration: kryptós
    Pronunciation: kroop-tos'
    Description: from κρύπτω; concealed, i.e. private:--hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.