John 18:20

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀπεκρίθη
G611
answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#2
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#3
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#5
ἐγὼ
G1473
I
i, me
#6
παῤῥησίᾳ
G3954
openly
all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance
#7
ελάλησα
G2980
have I said
to talk, i.e., utter words
#8
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
κόσμῳ
G2889
to the world
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
#10
ἐγὼ
G1473
I
i, me
#11
πάντοτε
G3842
always
every when, i.e., at all times
#12
ἐδίδαξα
G1321
taught
to teach (in the same broad application)
#13
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#14
τῇ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
συναγωγῇ
G4864
the synagogue
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
#16
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
ἱερῷ
G2411
the temple
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
#20
ὅπου
G3699
whither
what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot
#21
πάντοτε
G3842
always
every when, i.e., at all times
#22
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
Ἰουδαῖοι
G2453
the Jews
judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah
#24
συνέρχονται
G4905
resort
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
#25
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#26
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#27
κρυπτῷ
G2927
secret
concealed, i.e., private
#28
ελάλησα
G2980
have I said
to talk, i.e., utter words
#29
οὐδέν
G3762
nothing
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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