King James Version

What Does John 18:22 Mean?

John 18:22 in the King James Version says “And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand , saying, Answere...” — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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? with: or, with a rod”

John 18:22 · KJV

Context

20

Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22

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? with: or, with a rod

23

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Read John 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand—The Greek ῥάπισμα (rhapisma) can mean a slap or strike with a rod. This unprovoked assault for Answerest thou the high priest so? (οὕτως ἀποκρίνῃ τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ, houtōs apokrinē tō archierei) reveals the sham trial's brutality.

Isaiah 50:6 prophesied Messiah would give His back to smiters and not hide His face from shame. This violence fulfills prophecy while exposing judicial corruption—legitimate courts don't permit guards to assault defendants for respectful responses. The officer's rage betrays awareness that Jesus's logic was unassailable, requiring force rather than refutation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Striking a defendant was illegal under Jewish law unless after conviction. This premature violence proves the proceeding's illegitimacy. Similarly, Roman law forbade beating unconvicted citizens—yet Jesus faced repeated assaults (Matthew 26:67; 27:30) from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's calm legal defense, met with violence, expose the difference between power and authority?
  2. What does this officer's reaction reveal about how truth often provokes hostility when it threatens institutional control?
  3. When truth-telling brings punishment rather than dialogue, how can you maintain Jesus's courage without responding in kind?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
ταῦτα1 of 17

“thus”

G5023

these things

δὲ2 of 17

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοῦ3 of 17
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰπών4 of 17

“saying”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

εἷς5 of 17

“one”

G1520

one

τῶν6 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπηρετῶν7 of 17

“of the officers”

G5257

an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)

παρεστηκὼς8 of 17

“which stood by”

G3936

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

ἔδωκεν9 of 17
G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ῥάπισμα10 of 17

“struck”

G4475

a slap

τῷ11 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ12 of 17

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἰπών13 of 17

“saying”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Οὕτως14 of 17

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

ἀποκρίνῃ15 of 17

“Answerest thou”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

τῷ16 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖ17 of 17

“the high priest”

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 50:5-7Mark 14:65Matthew 26:67-68Luke 22:63-64John 19:3Micah 5:1

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