Bible Strands
John 18:21
Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the high priest and his attending officials during His nighttime interrogation in Jerusalem. He deflects the high priest's direct inquiry by directing the question to the public witnesses of His teaching.
The words — The Greek ἐρωτᾷς (erōtas, "do you ask?") and ἀκηκοότας (akēkootas, "having heard") structure Jesus' response, framing His ministry as a matter of public record rather than private revelation.
The thread — This insistence on open testimony runs parallel to the Sanhedrin's futile search for false evidence (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:55) and stands in contrast to their demand for a direct confession (Luke 22:67).
Why it lands — It forces the reader to confront the reality that Jesus' claims were made openly and require verification from actual witnesses, not judicial pressure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- Mark 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.
- Acts 24:12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
- Acts 24:18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia