The Meaning of John 18:19 Explained

John 18:19

KJV: The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

YLT: The chief priests, therefore, questioned Jesus concerning his disciples, and concerning his teaching;

Darby: The high priest therefore demanded of Jesus concerning his disciples and concerning his doctrine.

ASV: The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The high priest  then  asked  Jesus  of  his  disciples,  and  of  his  doctrine. 

What does John 18:19 Mean?

Study Notes

The high priest
For the order of events on the day of the crucifixion, .
led
A comparison of the narratives gives the following order of events in the crucifixion day:
(1) Early in the morning Jesus is brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He is condemned and mocked Matthew 26:57-68 ; Mark 14:55-65 ; Luke 22:63-71 ; John 18:19-24 .
(2) The Sanhedrin lead Jesus to Pilate, Matthew 27:1 ; Matthew 27:2 ; Matthew 27:11-14 ; Mark 15:1-5 ; Luke 23:1-5 ; John 18:28-38 .
(3) Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Luke 23:6-12 ; John 19:4 .
(4) Jesus is again brought before Pilate, who releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified Matthew 27:15-26 ; Mark 15:6-15 ; Luke 23:13-25 ; John 18:39 ; John 18:40 ; John 19:4-16 .
(5) Jesus is crowned with thorns and mocked Matthew 27:26-30 ; Mark 15:15-20 ; John 19:1-3 .
(6) Suicide of Judas Matthew 27:3-10 .
(7) Led forth to be crucified, the cross is laid upon Simon: Jesus discourses to the women Matthew 27:31 ; Matthew 27:32 ; Mark 15:20-23 ; Luke 23:26-33 ; John 19:16 ; John 19:17 .
For the order of events at the crucifixion (See Scofield " Matthew 27:33 ")

Verse Meaning

Clearly Annas was the (unofficial) high priest who conducted this initial informal inquiry (cf. John 18:24). He probably asked Jesus about His disciples to ascertain the size of His following since one of the religious leaders" chief concerns was the power of Jesus" popularity. Annas" interest in His teachings undoubtedly revolved around who Jesus claimed to be (cf7:12 , 47; 19:4). Both subjects were significant since many of the Jews suspected Jesus of being a political insurrectionist.

Context Summary

John 18:19-24 - Jesus Before His Persecutors
Annas was the father-in-law of the high priest. For many years he had worn the high priest's robes, and though now he had nominally retired from his office, he still kept his hands on the reins. He was the most powerful factor in the high-priestly circles. He was awaiting the return of the expedition in the hall of his palace, and at once began a preliminary inquiry, in the hope of extracting something on which to base his case against our Lord. Jesus penetrated his crafty purpose, and referred Annas to the army of spies who had been always on his track. There was no anger in Jesus' heart. He desired simply to show how absolutely pure and true His words had been; that though He was exposed to searching scrutiny, yet this secret measure had to be resorted to by Annas to incriminate Him. Jesus did not resist evil, but endeavored to bring His accusers and judges calmly to face their own consciences. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for John 18:19

Asked [ηρωτησεν]
First aorist active indicative of ερωταω — erōtaō to question, usual meaning. This was Annas making a preliminary examination of Jesus probably to see on what terms Jesus made disciples whether as a mere rabbi or as Messiah. [source]
Asked [ἠρώτησεν]
Or, questioned. [source]
Doctrine [διδαχῆς]
Rev., better, teaching. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 18:19

John 18:25 Was standing and warming himself [ην εστως και τερμαινομενος]
Two periphrastic imperfects precisely as in John 18:18, vivid renewal of the picture drawn there. John alone gives the examination of Jesus by Annas (John 18:19-24) which he places between the first and the second denials by Peter. Each of the Four Gospels gives three denials, but it is not possible to make a clear parallel as probably several people joined in each time. This time there was an hour‘s interval (Luke 22:59). The question and answer are almost identical with John 18:17 and “put in a form which almost suggested that Peter should say ‹No‘” (Bernard), a favourite device of the devil in making temptation attractive. [source]
2 John 1:9 Of Christ []
Not the teaching concerning Christ, but the teaching of Christ Himself and of His apostles. See Hebrews 2:3. So according to New Testament usage. See John 18:19; Acts 2:12; Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:15. [source]
2 John 1:9 And abideth not in the teaching of Christ [και μη μενων εν τηι διδαχηι του Χριστου]
Not the teaching about Christ, but that of Christ which is the standard of Christian teaching as the walk of Christ is the standard for the Christian‘s walk (1 John 2:6). See John 7:16; John 18:19. These Gnostics claimed to be the progressives, the advanced thinkers, and were anxious to relegate Christ to the past in their onward march. This struggle goes on always among those who approach the study of Christ. Is he a “landmark” merely or is he our goal and pattern? Progress we all desire, but progress toward Christ, not away from him. Reactionary obscurantists wish no progress toward Christ, but desire to stop and camp where they are. “True progress includes the past” (Westcott). Jesus Christ is still ahead of us all calling us to come on to him. [source]

What do the individual words in John 18:19 mean?

- Then the high priest questioned - Jesus concerning the disciples of Him and the teaching
οὖν ἀρχιερεὺς ἠρώτησεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν περὶ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς διδαχῆς

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀρχιερεὺς  the  high  priest 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀρχιερεύς  
Sense: chief priest, high priest.
ἠρώτησεν  questioned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐρωτάω  
Sense: to question.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦν  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
μαθητῶν  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
διδαχῆς  teaching 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: διδαχή  
Sense: teaching.

What are the major concepts related to John 18:19?

Loading Information...