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?" Sermons
I. WHY JESUS COULD REFER TO HIS HEARERS. It is not every teacher that could refer confidently to his hearers, not even to his most attached and trustful ones. If he did, and if an accurate report could be got of all their impressions, the result might not be very complimentary to the teacher. He might find out that as yet he himself was only a learner. He might find out that he himself was only making guesses and dealing with the surface of things. But Jesus knew whence he came, and all he said was said with the spontaneity, the natural coherence, belonging to him who spake as never man spake. We know the impression the teaching of Jesus makes upon us, and we know that the miscellaneous crowds who first listened to it must have been impressed in the same way. It is not meant that they understood everything, or always understood rightly. But there was this impression, at all events, that Jesus spoke with authority, and not as the scribes. Jesus knew that the common people of the country were not against him, and his enemies also knew that they could not afford to inquire too curiously into the opinions of the multitude. That multitude might not be enthusiastic about Jesus, but a decided condemnation of him the multitude never would give, if only a sufficient number of people had been asked. II. A HINT FOR US IN OUR JUDGMENTS ABOUT JESUS. We are too much accustomed to fly to books about Jesus which have intellectual merit rather than personal experience in them. Jesus referred confidently to the great bulk of his auditors, even the common people. And we should try to find out what the common people think about him. If Jesus cannot bless everybody, he cannot bless anybody. The scribes and Pharisees made difficulties where the common people made none. And so we should do well in our difficulties to consider whether they are shared by others. There is great benefit in listening to the opinions of all sorts of people about Jesus Christ. It is well, on the one hand, to hear what can be said by the learned and academic mind; and it is also well, on the other, to listen to those who, behind all that has been peculiar in Christ's teaching, all that has wanted learning whereby to understand it, have seen the universal truth that was meant to do them good. Christ's teaching can lay hold of hearts and consciences when the most elaborate system of mere ethics has no grasp. Christ is more than anything he has said, and those who make no pretence to intellectual superiority or anything special, can see him through his every word and deed. We had better not reject Christ before we have listened well to the kind of people who have accepted him. - Y.
One of the officers which stood by struck Jesus. I. THE INCIDENT OF OUR TEXT: "One of the officers struck Jesus," Observe —1. The circumstances. 2. All its aggravations.(1) The prisoner at the bar was struck — while yet only on trial, when no evidence had been found against him.(2) By one of the officers who were there to see that justice was done, an officer of the high priest, the highest minister of God.(3) In open court, in presence of the judge.(4) Without one word of rebuke from the high priest.(5) Merely because He refused to reply to ensnaring questions, and because with dignity and unanswerable argument He had appealed to the law which demanded that no man should be condemned except "at the mouth of two or three witnesses." 3. What followed. Trivial as the blow may have been, leaving no mark, — lightly as we might esteem it when compared with the agony of the garden or of the Cross, it was the only incident in His life of suffering that drew forth from Jesus one resentful word (ver. 23). He denied not that "He was made under the law," nor refused to be tried by the law. But He was not made under the priest nor the officer apart from the law, and would not be questioned by the one nor struck by the other contrary to the law. He could well have borne it; but, foreseeing that many of His people would afterwards be subjected to wrongs like this, He resented and rebuked it that they might know what His feelings were, and how they should act amid wanton outrage and gross injustice. II. THE LEADING LESSONS WHICH IT TEACHES. 1. By a very touching example it teaches us that the human sympathy of Jesus is true and tender. We have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, &c. It is not enough to say that He was tried, He was "touched;" He felt under trials as we do. He then can enter into our feelings and sympathise with us. In this one indignant saying, we see the bosom of Jesus throbbing with feelings that are all our own. III. HIS STRANGE FORBEARANCE TOWARDS THE TRANSGRESSOR. Twice in Scripture we find examples of insult and injury like this (Jeremiah 20:1-4; Acts 23:1-4). In both these cases, as in our text, these men of God resented the wanton outrage done to them. But while they resented the wrong, they denounced vengeance against the wrong-doers. But here, though the outrage was as great, and the dignity of the outraged far greater, He denounced no woe against the offender, He spared him if perchance he might repent and be converted. Perhaps that officer a few weeks later heard Peter on the day of Pentecost. How great was the forbearance of Christ! How assured is the hope of welcome still to each returning sinner! 1. The sin and shame of the man who strikes Jesus. Terrible was the sin of this man. But you say, "We have not been — we cannot be — guilty of sin like this." Yes we may be — most of us have been. How so?(1) At every blow we have struck at any of His disciples the Lord has said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?"(2) Every wilful sin is an injury done to Him. Our sins put Him to open shame and make His wounds to bleed afresh. (W. Grant.) It is marvellous that any man could smite Jesus. Invested as He was with all power and authority, the daring audacity of the miscreant in smiting Jesus is most astounding.1. It might have been thought that fear would have withheld man from smiting Him. He who had quelled the fierce tempest with the word of His mouth was not one to be smitten. He who had spoken to the very devils, causing them to rush terror-striken out of those whom they had possessed, exclaiming, "What have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us?" The worm fortifying himself against the Almighty! With one breath He could have hurled him into eternity. 2. It were reasonable to suppose that respect would have restrained him. This One received the obedience and homage of every creature. Was it not reasonable to expect that they should "respect the Son," though they had beaten some of the servants and cast stones at others, while they had killed some and shamefully handled others: disrespecting all? Verily, we would expect the Son should be respected. He was the meekest and gentlest that ever trod our earth. He could have gone amongst the young unicorns, not one would have butted Him; the most furious dogs would not have moved their tongues against Him. There was not a bear that would have put its paw on Him; nor a lion that would have put its claw on Him. He was the Second Adam with no more enmity in any creature against Him than there was against Adam before his fall. And no creature would have smitten Him except man. 3. It might have been expected that gratitude would have stayed the man from committing such an act. Here stood the greatest Benefactor the world ever beheld. He came here loaded with gifts. Are there not sufficient about to strike to-day? The Powers of Darkness will smite with all their force to-day. The Powers of Darkness will come out against Me this day; but that is not surprising. I also came out against them. Hell is going to strike the blow in its own defence. Its arm is raised against an enemy. But why dost thou smite Me? I am come forth in thy favour, defence, interest. I am thy Friend. The law is going to strike to-day. But I am about to stand in a position in which it cannot avoid smiting Me. Justice unsheaths (whets) its sword to strike to-day. But Justice is armed with authority to strike. Who gave to thee this authority. My Father is going to strike. It pleaseth the Lord to bruise Me. I am to be smitten of God and afflicted. But there are eternal benefits to result from this. I am to be stricken for the transgressions of men, and to be bruised for their iniquities. But myriads shall be healed with these stripes, and this chastisement will prove the peace of many. But why dost thou smite Me? Whilst many stand amazed at the cruelty of this man in smiting Christ in the court, there are thousands amongst us who treat Him in precisely the same manner.That doeth the backslider daily. 1. It was the rashness of the high priest's servant, fired by his zeal for his master, which incited him to strike the blow. But the backslider smites Christ in cool blood, taking care to find the most tender spot; he smites Him "in the apple of His eye." 2. The high priest's servant smote Him but once. But many a man persists in striking blow after blow. The moment He is up he strikes again, keeping Him down continually: He is at this moment trampled under his feet! 3. This official struck the Lord in his ignorance. Had he known Him he would not have thus treated Him. The backslider can have no doubt respecting Him. Wilfully does he strike Him after receiving a knowledge of the truth.Being once enlightened he puts the Son of God to an open shame "Why dost thou smite Him?" 1. Has He not been sufficiently smitten? Dost thou wish to add to His wounds? 2. Do not smite Him more. Forbear, lest He be angry, lest His wrath be kindled but a little; for should He strike thou shalt perish from the way. No blow destroys a man until He smites. 3. Extend thy hand to Him. Tell Him thou art sorry, and that thou wilt never smite Him again. Do this, and He will forgive all thy former blows. (David Roberts, D. D.) The narrative shows —I. HOW RELIGION IS OPPOSED. 1. With inveterate prejudice. 2. With licentious violence. 3. With hypocritical pretences. II. HOW IT IS TO BE MAINTAINED. 1. With undaunted firmness. 2. With unruffled patience. From the whole learn — (1) (2) (C. Simeon.) When Henry Martyn was at Shirez, in Persia, translating the New Testament, he seems to have been delighted with the following incident, which he notices in his journal (June 28, 1811): — "The poor boy while writing how one of the servants of the high priest struck the Lord in the face, stopped and said, 'Sir, did not his hand dry up?'"King Croesus had a son who was dumb all his days until the siege of Sardis, when, seeing a Persian soldier rush to strike the king, this dumb son of his found his voice, and cried, "Man, kill not Croesus!" This burst of anguish broke the impediment, and he spoke for the first time in his life. As I enter into the spirit of the fact, and seem to see a contemptible slave strike the face of Jesus, a fiery sting strikes my own face, I feel my heart burst, and my brow burn; it seems to me that had I been dumb, and a witness of this deed, I should have spoken out! So any Christian is ready to say.(C. Stanford, D. D.) Bryardine, a missionary to Grenoble, was enforcing the duty of forgiving our enemies, when he perceived that a large portion of his audience consisted of soldiers. Anxious to denounce duelling, and seeing that the military were strongly excited, he said, "Perhaps some high-spirited soldier burns to ask how a humble missionary can even conceive how a man of honour feels when he has been outraged by a blow? I am prepared to confess that I know not what those feelings are; and my knowledge is derived from a book that describes the worst of all insults with an indignation at least equal to what modern honour can inspire. I have been taught by my Bible how a blow may be felt, and how it should be resented. The Bible informs me that the Saviour of the world, without a murmur against His executioners, submitted to all that could embitter the agonies of death. It was not until He received a blow that He condescended to open His mouth. And what said He then? Let the Bible tell us, and let the duellist, if he can, surpass the example.In the Christian combat, not the striker, as in the Olympian contest, but he who is struck, wins the crown. This is the law in the celestial theatre, where angels are the lookers-on.( Chrysostom.) People Annas, Barabbas, Caiaphas, Jesus, Judas, Malchus, Peter, Pilate, SimonPlaces Jerusalem, Kidron, NazarethTopics Answerest, Asking, Blow, Chief, Demanded, Face, Nearby, Officers, Open, Palm, Police, Priest, Saying, Slap, Slapped, Spoken, Standing, Stood, Struck, ThusOutline 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. Dictionary of Bible Themes John 18:22 2570 Christ, suffering 2060 Christ, patience of Library March 24 EveningGod hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.--I THES. 2:12. My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, . . . but now is my kingdom not from hence.--Expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.--Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.--I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and … Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path November 23 Evening Jesus Before Caiaphas Art Thou a King? Christ and his Captors Calvary: victory. Matthew 26:47-27:61. Mark 14: 43-15:47. Luke 22:47-23:56. John 18:1-19:42. Kingship. First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas. Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus. The Shadow of Death A Review and a Challenge The Arrest. Peter's Denial and Repentance. Jesus Before Pilate. Comparison Between the False Church and the True. The Arrest of Jesus The Betrayal. The Trial Before the High Priest. Christ Before Pilate. Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men Messiah Rising from the Dead The Greatest Trial on Record Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils. Links John 18:22 NIVJohn 18:22 NLT John 18:22 ESV John 18:22 NASB John 18:22 KJV John 18:22 Bible Apps John 18:22 Parallel John 18:22 Biblia Paralela John 18:22 Chinese Bible John 18:22 French Bible John 18:22 German Bible John 18:22 Commentaries Bible Hub |