John 18:12-24 - Homiletics

Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas.

The ecclesiastical trial comes first. Owing to the relation between Annas and Caiaphas, they probably dwelt in the same house, and there may have been an informal trial by Annas before the acting high priest, Caiaphas, investigated the case of Jesus.

I. THE INQUIRY OF CAIAPHAS . "The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine."

1. The object was to extract from the tips of Jesus some answer that might become the ground of his condemnation .

2. The high priest was anxious to ascertain the number of Christ ' s disciples and the principles of his teaching .

II. THE ANSWER OF JESUS . "I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in open synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort; and in secret have I said nothing."

1. He does not answer the inquiry concerning his disciples , whose safety he fears to compromise .

2. He protests the entire publicity of his teaching .

3. There was nothing secret or esoteric in his doctrine . He taught publicly what he taught secretly. The disciples were charged to proclaim on the housetops what they heard in the ear ( Matthew 10:27 ).

4. He demands a formal trial , and the summoning of witnesses . "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them."

III. THE FIRST ACT OF VIOLENCE AND INSULT OFFERED TO THE SAVIOR . "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?"

1. Jesus had done nothing to justify this rude assault ; for in his answer he was only using the liberty the Law allowed him. He was, as always, an innocent Sufferer.

2. Our Lord ' s answer was a gentle reproof of public injustice . "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"

(a) that it is not wrong to defend our innocence or good name;

(b) that there is no inconsistency between our Lord's action in this case and his counsel in the sermon on the mount: " If they smite thee on one cheek, turn the other also." This condemns revenge, but does not silence us in the presence of wrong. Our Lord's own practice, therefore, explains his precept ( Matthew 5:39 ).