John 18:21

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Why {G5101} askest thou {G1905} me {G3165}? ask {G1905} them which heard me {G191}, what {G5101} I have said {G2980} unto them {G846}: behold {G2396}, they {G3778} know {G1492} what {G3739} I {G1473} said {G2036}.

so why are you questioning me? Question the ones who heard what I said to them; look, they know what I said.”

Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”

Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.

Commentary

John 18:21 (KJV) presents a pivotal moment during Jesus' arrest and initial interrogation, revealing His steadfastness and commitment to truth in the face of an unjust trial. The verse reads: "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."

Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus Christ during His illegal night trial before Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law to Caiaphas, the current high priest. After Jesus was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was brought to Annas' house for a preliminary interrogation (John 18:19). Annas questioned Him about His disciples and His doctrine, seeking to find grounds for accusation. Jesus' response in verse 21 is a refusal to engage in a secretive inquiry or to provide self-incriminating testimony. Instead, He directs His interrogator to the public record of His teachings, emphasizing that His ministry was open and widely known.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Transparency of Jesus' Ministry: Jesus emphatically states that His teachings were not hidden or whispered in secret. He taught openly in synagogues and the temple, places where people regularly gathered. This highlights the public and accessible nature of His divine message and His commitment to truth.
  • Appeal to Objective Witnesses: By instructing Annas to "ask them which heard me," Jesus appeals to the multitude of witnesses who had listened to His sermons and discourses. His doctrine was not a mystery known only to a select few, but a widely proclaimed message, serving as a powerful defense against any accusation of subversive or clandestine activity.
  • Challenging Unjust Procedures: Jesus' question, "Why askest thou me?", subtly challenges the legitimacy and fairness of Annas' private interrogation. Jewish law required accusations to be based on the testimony of witnesses, not on self-incrimination. Jesus is essentially demanding that the proper legal procedure be followed, aligning with His later declaration before Pilate concerning bearing witness to the truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Why askest thou me?" (Greek: Ti me erōtas?) carries a tone of mild rebuke or challenge. It's not a refusal to speak, but a redirection to the appropriate source of information and a critique of the unjust method of inquiry. Jesus' immediate follow-up, "ask them which heard me," underscores the public nature of His life and words. The repetition of "what I have said unto them" and "what I said" reinforces the consistency and open nature of His teachings, leaving no room for secret doctrines.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 18:21 offers several profound lessons:

  • Stand Firm in Truth: Jesus' example encourages us to be bold and unwavering in the truth, even when facing opposition or unfair treatment. Our integrity and the truth of our faith should speak for themselves.
  • Live Transparently: Just as Jesus' ministry was open, our lives and faith should be lived transparently, allowing our actions and words to testify to what we believe. There should be no hidden agendas in our walk with God.
  • Trust in God's Justice: Even when human systems of justice fail and false accusations arise, we can trust that God sees and knows the ultimate truth. Jesus' response demonstrates His reliance on divine truth, not the skewed proceedings of men.

This verse is a testament to Jesus' integrity and His unwavering commitment to the truth of His public ministry, even unto His final hours before the cross.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:67

    Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

  • Matthew 26:59

    Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

  • Matthew 26:60

    But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

  • Mark 14:55

    And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

  • Mark 14:59

    But neither so did their witness agree together.

  • Acts 24:12

    And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

  • Acts 24:13

    Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
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