John 18:22
New International Version
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

New Living Translation
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.

English Standard Version
When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

Berean Standard Bible
When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”

Berean Literal Bible
Now of His having said these things, one of the officers standing by gave a blow with the palm to Jesus, having said, "Do You answer the high priest this way?"

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

New American Standard Bible
But when He said this, one of the officers, who was standing nearby, struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

NASB 1995
When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

NASB 1977
And when He had said this, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby gave Jesus a slap, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

Amplified Bible
But when He said this, one of the officers who was standing nearby struck Jesus [in the face], saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?”

Christian Standard Bible
When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

American Standard Version
And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Contemporary English Version
As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, "That's no way to talk to the high priest!"

English Revised Version
And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing near Jesus slapped his face and said, "Is that how you answer the chief priest?"

Good News Translation
When Jesus said this, one of the guards there slapped him and said, "How dare you talk like that to the High Priest!"

International Standard Version
When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus on the face and demanded, "Is that any way to answer the high priest?"

Majority Standard Bible
When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, ?Is this how You answer the high priest??

NET Bible
When Jesus had said this, one of the high priest's officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said, "Is that the way you answer the high priest?"

New Heart English Bible
When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, "Do you answer the high priest like that?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers who stood by, struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Weymouth New Testament
Upon His saying this, one of the officers standing by struck Him with his open hand, asking Him as he did so, "Is that the way you answer the High Priest?"

World English Bible
When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He having said these things, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a slap, saying, “Thus do You answer the chief priest?”

Berean Literal Bible
Now of His having said these things, one of the officers standing by gave a blow with the palm to Jesus, having said, "Do You answer the high priest this way?"

Young's Literal Translation
And he having said these things, one of the officers standing by did give Jesus a slap, saying, 'Thus dost thou answer the chief priest?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he having said these things, one of the attendants standing by gave Jesus a blow with a rod, having said, Answerest thou the chief priest so?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by, gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high priest so?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when he had said this, one the attendants standing nearby struck Jesus, saying: “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

New American Bible
When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

New Revised Standard Version
When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as he said these things, one of the guards who stood by, struck Jesus on his cheek, and said to him, Is this how you answer the high priest?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when he had said these things, one of the guards who was standing there struck Yeshua on the cheek and said to him, “Do you answer thus to The High Priest?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When he had spoken thus, one of the attendants, who was standing by, struck Jesus with his open hand, saying: Do you answer the chief priest thus?

Godbey New Testament
And He speaking these things, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a slap, saying, Do you thus answer the high priest?

Haweis New Testament
As he was thus speaking, one of the servants who stood by him gave Jesus a slap on the face, saying, Dost thou answer the high-priest in this fashion?

Mace New Testament
Upon his expressing himself thus, one of the officers there present, struck Jesus on the face, saying, answerest thou the high priest so?

Weymouth New Testament
Upon His saying this, one of the officers standing by struck Him with his open hand, asking Him as he did so, "Is that the way you answer the High Priest?"

Worrell New Testament
And, when He had said this, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a blow with a rod, saying, "Dost Thou answer the high priest thus!"

Worsley New Testament
And upon his saying these things, one of the officers that stood by struck Jesus, saying, Dost thou answer the high-priest thus?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Before the High Priest
21Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” 22When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?” 23Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”…

Cross References
Matthew 26:67
Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

Mark 14:65
Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.

Luke 22:63-64
The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. / They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?”

Acts 23:2
At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Isaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Micah 5:1
Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.

Lamentations 3:30
Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Proverbs 19:29
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”


Treasury of Scripture

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?

struck.

Job 16:10
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

Job 30:10-12
They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face…

Isaiah 50:5-7
The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back…

the palm of his hand.

Acts 23:4,5
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? …

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John 18
1. Judas betrays Jesus.
6. The officers fall to the ground.
10. Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.
12. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15. Peter's denial.
19. Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25. Peter's second and third denial.
28. Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36. His kingdom.
40. The Jews prefer Barabbas.














When Jesus had said this
This phrase sets the context for the event, indicating that Jesus had just spoken. The Greek word for "said" is "eipon," which implies a declaration or a statement of truth. Jesus had been speaking to the high priest, asserting His identity and mission. This moment is pivotal, as it demonstrates Jesus' unwavering commitment to truth, even in the face of hostility. His words were not just casual conversation but carried the weight of divine authority and purpose.

one of the officers
The term "officers" refers to the temple guards or attendants who served the Jewish leaders. In Greek, the word is "huperetes," which can mean a servant or an assistant. These individuals were tasked with maintaining order and enforcing the will of the religious authorities. Historically, these officers were often Levites, trained in the law and customs of the temple, yet here they are seen acting contrary to the spirit of the law they were meant to uphold.

standing nearby
This phrase indicates proximity and readiness to act. The Greek word "paresteken" suggests someone who is present and attentive. The officer's position "nearby" signifies his role as an enforcer of the high priest's authority. This proximity also highlights the tension in the scene, as those who were close to Jesus physically were spiritually distant from understanding His true nature.

slapped Him in the face
The act of slapping, described by the Greek word "rapisma," was a gesture of insult and disrespect. In the cultural and historical context, a slap was not just a physical attack but a symbolic act of dishonor. This action fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 50:6, where the suffering servant is described as being struck and humiliated. It underscores the theme of Jesus' suffering and the fulfillment of His role as the Messiah who would endure shame for the sake of humanity.

and said
The officer's words following the slap are crucial, as they reveal the misunderstanding and rejection of Jesus' authority. The Greek "eipen" is used again, emphasizing the contrast between Jesus' divine truth and the officer's misguided rebuke. This moment reflects the broader rejection Jesus faced from the religious establishment, who failed to recognize Him as the promised Savior.

Is this how You answer the high priest?
This question is laden with irony and misunderstanding. The officer assumes that Jesus is being disrespectful, yet it is the religious leaders who are failing to honor the true High Priest, Jesus Himself. The Greek "apokrinomai" for "answer" suggests a response or defense, yet Jesus' earlier words were not a defense but a declaration of His mission. The high priest, in the Jewish tradition, was the mediator between God and the people, yet here, the true Mediator is being rejected by those who claim to serve God. This highlights the tragic irony of the religious leaders' blindness to the fulfillment of their own Scriptures in the person of Jesus Christ.

(22) With the palm of his hand.--The Greek word occurs again in the New Testament only in John 19:3, and Mark 14:65 (see Note there, and on Matthew 26:67). It is uncertain whether it means here a blow with the hand or, as the margin renders it, "with a rod." The word originally means a stroke with a rod, but in classical usage it acquired also the meaning of a slap in the face, or box on the ear, and the corresponding verb is certainly used in this sense in Matthew 5:39. We may gather from Acts 23:2 that a blow on the face was a customary punishment for a supposed offence against the dignity of the high priest; but in that case it was ordered by the high priest himself, and the fact that it was here done without authority by one of the attendants confirms the opinion that this was not a legal trial before the judicial authority.

Verse 22. - And when he had said these things, one of the officers standing by, anxious to win with his officious zeal the approval of his master, gave Jesus a ῤάπισμα. (Meyer says it cannot be settled whether this word means a stroke with a rod (as Godet, Bengel) or a blow on the cheek or ear, which was the current punishment for a word supposed to be insolent; but δέρεις of Ver. 23, which means "to flay," implies a more severe punishment than a blow on the face with the hand.) This is the beginning of the coarse and terrible mockery which was the lot of the sublime Sufferer through the remaining hours of the awful day which is now dawning on him. Saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[When]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[Jesus]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

had said
εἰπόντος (eipontos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

[this],
Ταῦτα (Tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

officers
ὑπηρετῶν (hypēretōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5257: From hupo and a derivative of eresso; an under-oarsman, i.e. subordinate.

standing nearby
παρεστηκὼς (parestēkōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3936: Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid.

slapped [Him] in the face
ῥάπισμα (rhapisma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4475: A slap, blow on the cheek with the open hand. From rhapizo; a slap.

[and] said,
εἰπών (eipōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“{Is} this how
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

You answer
ἀποκρίνῃ (apokrinē)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest?”
ἀρχιερεῖ (archierei)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.


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