Joh 18:19-24 | 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.

a18:19►

bNum 35:30►

cDeut 17:6►

d19:15►

eMatt 18:16►

f18:20-21►

g18:22-23►

h18:24►

iMark 14:53–15:1►

‏ John 18:19-24

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.
Summary for John 18:20-21: 18:20-21 ^f Jesus’ sharp answer, reminding Annas that everything was in the public record, unmasked the priest’s attempt to follow Roman practice.
Summary for John 18:22-23: 18:22-23 ^g When Jesus reminded Annas of correct judicial procedure, one of the Temple guards viewed it as insolence and slapped Jesus. However, Jesus knew the law and represented it truthfully. No witnesses were accusing him, and no evidence was being presented.
18:24 ^h Annas was at an impasse—his probing had been unsuccessful. So he sent Jesus to Caiaphas to be prosecuted before the Sanhedrin, Jerusalem’s judicial high council (see Mark 14:53–15:1 ⁱ).