John 18:23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 17
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 17
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
μαρτύρησον
bear witness
G3140
μαρτύρησον
bear witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
8 of 17
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κακοῦ·
the evil
G2556
κακοῦ·
the evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
11 of 17
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
Historical Context
This moment captures the collision between Roman jurisprudence (presumption of innocence, burden of proof on accusers) and corrupted Jewish procedure where the verdict preceded the trial. Jesus's appeal to rational discourse over violence mirrors Socratic method—exposing evil through questions rather than declarations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus model responding to physical violence with logical argument rather than retaliation or silence?
- What does Christ's demand for evidence teach about the relationship between truth and transparency?
- When suffering unjustly, how can you maintain both bold witness (like Jesus) and meek submission (like a lamb)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil (μαρτύρησον περὶ τοῦ κακοῦ, martyrēson peri tou kakou)—Jesus demands evidence, not violence. The term κακοῦ (kakou, 'evil, wrong') challenges them to specify His offense. But if well, why smitest thou me? (τί με δέρεις, ti me dereis, 'why do you beat me?')—the present tense verb suggests continued striking.
This isn't mere self-defense but prophetic witness: Christ will not be silenced by brutality. His question echoes Job's protests against unjust suffering while fulfilling the Suffering Servant's mission (Isaiah 53:7). Even under assault, He maintains moral high ground, forcing His accusers to either produce evidence or acknowledge their injustice.