The inquiry regarding Christ’s disciples was probably intended to find out whether He had collected these followers around Him with any seditious or unlawful object; and that regarding His doctrine in the hope of convicting Him from His own mouth of blasphemy. Later on in this trial, as we learn from SS. Matt. and Mark, they did condemn Him of blasphemy, and judge Him deserving of death. 20. Respondit ei Iesus: Ego 20. Jesus answered him: I have palam locutus sum mundo: ego spoken openly to the world: I semper docui in synagoga, et have always taught in the in templo, quo omnes Iudaei synagogue, and in the temple, conveniunt: et in occulto whither all the Jews resort; locutus sum nihil. and in secret I have spoken nothing. 20. Jesus makes no reply regarding His disciples, because it was sufficiently plain that they followed Him from no unworthy motive, but for sake of His doctrine and its fruits. Of His doctrine, therefore He speaks. But since He, of all teachers (the twice‐repeated ἐγώ is in each instance emphatic) had taught publicly, and nothing in private _that was different from_ His public teaching (or the meaning may be, nothing that He tried to hide), He refers his interrogator to those who had heard Him, as their testimony ought naturally to be sought rather than His in a matter that so intimately concerned Himself. 21. Quid me interrogas? 21. Why askest thou me? ask interroga eos qui audierunt them who have heard what I quid locutus sim ipsis? ecce have spoken unto them: behold hi sciunt quae dixerim ego. they know what things I have said. 21. *Behold they* (these, οὗτοι) *know what things I have said*. Some think that Christ here referred, perhaps pointed, to the Priests and Pharisees around him, or to the crowd in the court outside; for we know from St. Luke (xxii. 61) that those outside in the court were visible from the hall where Christ was being examined. It may be, however, that οὗτοι refers simply to all and any who had at any time heard His doctrine. 22. Haec autem cum dixisset, 22. And when he had said these unus assistens ministrorum things, one of the servants dedit alapam Iesu, dicens: Sic standing by gave Jesus a blow, respondes pontifici? saying: Answerest thou the high‐priest so? 22. *A blow.* “Alapa” is a blow on the ear; but the Greek word (ῥάπισμα) signifies any blow with the open hand or with a rod or stick. The blow was given by one of the Temple guards. 23. Respondit ei Iesus: Si 23. Jesus answered him: If I male locutus sum, testimonium have spoken evil, give perhibe de malo: si autem testimony of the evil: but if bene, quid me caedis? well, why strikest thou me?