JOHN 18:22 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?”
When he said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, 'Is this how you answer the high priest?' — The officer's blow represents both institutional violence and personal affront—an official striking the accused for disrespectful tone. The officer's question implies that Jesus' deference fails. Yet John presents no Synoptic buffeting narrative; this single blow stands alone, emphasizing the casual brutality of Jewish justice. Jesus does not reciprocate with violence or curse.
Church Fathers on John 18:22
When Jesus had appealed to the testimony of the people by, an officer, wishing to clear himself, and show that he was not one of those who admired our Lord, struck Him: And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answer you the high priest so?
This shows that Annas was the high priest, for this was before He was sent to Caiaphas. And Luke in the beginning of his Gospel says, that Annas and Caiaphas were both high priests.
Here is fulfilled the prophecy, I gave my cheek to the smiters. Jesus, though struck unjustly, replied gently: Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you Me?
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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