John 18:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 18:21 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' unjust trial before Annas, the former high priest, where Jesus masterfully defends the transparency of His public ministry. Instead of providing self-incriminating testimony in a clandestine interrogation, Jesus redirects His accuser to the countless witnesses who had heard His teachings openly in synagogues and the Temple. This response underscores His unwavering commitment to truth, His challenge to the illegitimacy of the proceedings, and His reliance on the verifiable nature of His message, even as He stands falsely accused.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jesus' arrest and initial interrogation, immediately following His betrayal by Judas and capture in the Garden of Gethsemane ([John 18:1-11](/john/18-1-11 "Jesus' Arrest in Gethsemane")). After being bound, Jesus is first led to Annas, the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas ([John 18:12-13](/john/18-12-13 "Jesus Led to Annas")). Annas begins to question Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine ([John 18:19](/john/18-19 "Annas Questions Jesus")), seeking to establish grounds for accusation. Jesus' response in [John 18:20-21](/john/18-20-21 "Jesus' Public Ministry") directly addresses Annas' attempt to extract a confession or incriminating statement in a private, unlawful setting. The subsequent events involve Peter's denial ([John 18:15-18](/john/18-15-18 "Peter's First Denial") and [John 18:25-27](/john/18-25-27 "Peter's Second and Third Denials")) and Jesus being sent from Annas to Caiaphas ([John 18:24](/john/18-24 "Jesus Sent to Caiaphas")), setting the stage for the formal Sanhedrin trial and later the Roman trial before Pilate ([John 18:28-40](/john/18-28-40 "Jesus Before Pilate")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The interrogation of Jesus by Annas was a preliminary, illegal proceeding. According to Jewish law, trials were to be held publicly, during the day, and in a designated court, not in a private residence at night. Accusations required the testimony of at least two credible witnesses, and defendants were not compelled to incriminate themselves. Annas, though no longer officially high priest, retained immense influence and power, effectively acting as a power broker behind the scenes. His questioning of Jesus' "doctrine" and "disciples" aimed to uncover any subversive political or religious teachings that could be used to condemn Him. Jesus' insistence on referring to His public teachings highlights the stark contrast between the clandestine, unjust nature of Annas' inquiry and the open, transparent character of Jesus' entire ministry, which was conducted in full view of the public in synagogues and the Temple courts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **transparency and integrity of Jesus' ministry**, emphasizing that His teachings were never hidden but proclaimed openly for all to hear, contrasting sharply with the secretive plots of His adversaries. It highlights the theme of **truth versus falsehood**, as Jesus, the embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), challenges the deceptive and unlawful methods employed against Him. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **unjust suffering of the righteous servant**, a theme deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "The Suffering Servant")). Jesus' calm defiance in the face of injustice also exemplifies **divine sovereignty in human affairs**, demonstrating His control even amidst His passion, as He willingly submits to the Father's plan while exposing the sin of His accusers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **askest thou (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** This verb, G1905, means "to ask for, i.e., inquire, seek." In this context, it denotes Annas' attempt to question Jesus, specifically to extract information or a confession. Jesus' use of the same word in His counter-question ("ask them") serves as a direct challenge to the legitimacy of Annas' method, redirecting the inquiry to proper, public channels.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** G191, a primary verb meaning "to hear (in various senses)." Here, it refers to those who literally listened to Jesus' teachings. The emphasis is on the public nature of His ministry; His words were not whispered in secret but were audible to many, making them reliable witnesses.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** G1492, properly "to see (literally or figuratively)," but in the perfect tense (as here), it means "to know" or "to have knowledge." Jesus asserts that those who heard Him possess direct knowledge of His words, implying that their testimony would be readily available and verifiable, rendering Annas' private interrogation unnecessary and improper.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why askest thou me?"**: Jesus' initial question is a rhetorical challenge, not a refusal to answer. It subtly rebukes Annas for conducting an illegal, secretive interrogation. Jewish law required accusations to be based on public testimony, not self-incrimination. Jesus is essentially asking why Annas is bypassing due process and seeking to extract information from the accused rather than from witnesses.
* **"ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them:"**: This is Jesus' direct instruction and defense. He appeals to the vast number of people who had publicly heard His teachings. He asserts that His doctrine was not clandestine but openly proclaimed, making it unnecessary and inappropriate for Annas to question Him in secret. This statement highlights the transparency of His ministry.
* **"behold, they know what I said."**: The interjection "behold" (G2396, _íde'_) draws attention to the undeniable fact. Jesus emphatically states that these witnesses possess full knowledge of His words. This serves as a powerful validation of His public ministry and a further indictment of Annas' underhanded methods, implying that the truth is readily available through legitimate means.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "Why askest thou me?", which serves not to elicit information but to challenge the premise and legitimacy of Annas' interrogation. This question subtly highlights the injustice and impropriety of the proceedings. Jesus then uses **Appeal to Witness** by directing Annas to "ask them which heard me," shifting the burden of proof from Himself, the accused, to the numerous public witnesses of His ministry. This also demonstrates **Irony**, as the very people who seek to condemn Jesus for alleged secret teachings are rebuffed by His insistence on the public nature of His words. The repetition of "what I have said unto them" and "what I said" functions as **Anaphora** (or a form of **Parallelism**), emphasizing the consistency and open accessibility of His message, leaving no room for accusations of hidden doctrines. Finally, the interjection "behold" acts as an **Exclamatory Marker**, drawing immediate attention to the self-evident truth that His teachings were widely known.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 18:21 profoundly underscores the integrity and transparency of Jesus' earthly ministry, revealing Him as the Light who came into the world, whose deeds were done openly, unlike those who prefer darkness because their deeds are evil ([John 3:19-21](/john/3-19-21 "Light and Darkness")). His refusal to engage in secret testimony before Annas is a powerful testament to His unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even when facing a corrupt system. This moment reinforces the divine nature of His mission, which required no hidden agendas or clandestine operations, but rather the bold proclamation of the Kingdom of God in plain sight. It also highlights the contrast between God's perfect justice and the flawed, often malicious, justice of humanity.

* [Isaiah 45:19](/isaiah/45-19 "God Speaks Openly") - "I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right."
* [Luke 12:3](/luke/12-3 "What is Whispered in the Ear Will Be Proclaimed") - "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
* [Acts 26:26](/acts/26-26 "Paul's Defense to Agrippa") - "For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' response in John 18:21 provides a profound model for believers facing scrutiny, opposition, or injustice. It calls us to live lives of integrity and transparency, where our words and actions consistently reflect our faith, leaving no room for hidden motives or secret agendas. Just as Jesus' ministry was public and verifiable, our witness for Christ should be open and accessible, allowing the truth of the Gospel to speak for itself through our lives. When confronted with unfair accusations or manipulative tactics, we are encouraged to stand firm in the truth, appealing to the clear evidence of God's work in and through us, rather than compromising our convictions. This verse reminds us that true conviction is not afraid of the light, and that ultimately, God's truth will prevail over all human deceit and injustice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to hide or compromise my faith, and how can I cultivate greater transparency?**
* **How does Jesus' example of calmly confronting injustice encourage me to stand firm in truth when faced with opposition?**
* **What "witnesses" (e.g., my consistent actions, the fruit of the Spirit, the testimony of Scripture) can I point to when my faith or character is questioned?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus refusing to answer Annas' questions, or was He making a legal point?**

Answer: Jesus was not refusing to answer but was making a crucial legal and ethical point. According to Jewish law, trials were to be conducted openly, with accusations based on the testimony of witnesses, not self-incrimination. By saying, "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me," Jesus was challenging the illegitimacy of Annas' private, nocturnal interrogation. He was asserting that His ministry was public and His teachings widely known, and therefore, any proper inquiry should gather testimony from those who had heard Him, rather than attempting to extract a confession from Him in a secretive and unlawful manner. This was a sophisticated legal defense, affirming His innocence and the transparency of His mission, while simultaneously exposing the corrupt nature of the proceedings. His later declaration before Pilate, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth" ([John 18:37](/john/18-37 "Jesus Bears Witness to the Truth")), further underscores His commitment to truth and open testimony.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 18:21, with Jesus' steadfast commitment to the transparency of His public ministry, finds profound fulfillment in His identity as the ultimate Revelation of God. He is not merely a teacher of secret doctrines but the very Word made flesh, who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). His open teaching in the synagogues and Temple ([John 7:26](/john/7-26 "Jesus Teaches Openly"), [John 8:2](/john/8-2 "Jesus Teaches in the Temple")) foreshadows the universal accessibility of the Gospel, which is to be proclaimed to all nations, not hidden in corners ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")). Jesus' challenge to Annas' secret inquiry highlights His role as the light of the world, whose every action and word were designed to expose darkness and bring truth to light ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")). Ultimately, His public suffering and death on the cross, witnessed by multitudes, became the most transparent act of divine love and redemption, fulfilling the prophecies of a publicly displayed sacrifice for the sins of the world ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "The Suffering Servant Takes Our Sins"), [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, His insistence on public testimony in John 18:21 prefigures the open, undeniable, and universally proclaimed truth of His atoning work and resurrection, which forms the bedrock of Christian faith ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "The Resurrection of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.