Joh 18:19 | TNotes | STEP | 18:19 The high priest began asking Jesus questions, but his inquiry was contrary to Jewish legal procedure. In Jewish court, the priest did not ask questions directly of the defendant but accumulated evidence from witnesses to establish guilt (see Num 35:30 ; Deut 17:6 ; 19:15 ; cp. Matt 18:16 ). If Jesus said anything incriminating, Annas would later use it to testify against him at Jesus’ trial. He was attempting to follow Roman practice by making Jesus incriminate himself, rather than gathering evidence through witnesses as Jewish law demanded.

bNum 35:30►

cDeut 17:6►

eMatt 18:16►

‏ John 18:19

18:19 ^a The high priest began asking Jesus questions, but his inquiry was contrary to Jewish legal procedure. In Jewish court, the priest did not ask questions directly of the defendant but accumulated evidence from witnesses to establish guilt (see Num 35:30 ^b; Deut 17:6 ^c; 19:15 ^d; cp. Matt 18:16 ^e). If Jesus said anything incriminating, Annas would later use it to testify against him at Jesus’ trial. He was attempting to follow Roman practice by making Jesus incriminate himself, rather than gathering evidence through witnesses as Jewish law demanded.