Jesus was refusing to be made a witness against Himself. The high priest had brought no charge and no witnesses; he simply asked Jesus about His followers and His teaching. Barnes says he asked about the disciples "To ascertain their number and power," since the leaders wanted a charge of sedition. Gill says he was "putting questions to him, instead of opening the charge against him." Jesus had nothing hidden: "I spake openly to the world" (John 18:20). So He asked why He should be questioned when so many had heard Him. Barnes says Jesus "insisted on his rights, and reproves the high priest for his unjust and illegal manner of extorting a confession from him."

No one answered the question. Instead "one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand," saying, "Answerest thou the high priest so?" (John 18:22). Jesus answered that if He had spoken evil, the officer should "bear witness of the evil" (John 18:23). The text records no call for the hearers Jesus pointed to. John then notes that Annas "had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest" (John 18:24), where the council sought false witnesses against Him (Matthew 26:59-60).

John says Jesus was led "to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year" (John 18:13). Barnes notes that Annas "had been himself a long time high priest" and still had great authority and influence. Because both men could be called "high priest," readers differ on who asked the questions in John 18:19. The KJV says "Annas had sent him" (John 18:24), and Gill takes the questioner to be Caiaphas. The ESV says "Annas then sent him," which reads the hearing as before Annas.

Matthew Henry says it was "against all law and equity" for the judge to act as prosecutor and the prisoner as the witness against himself. Gill adds that no disciple of Jesus was allowed to speak for Him.

Jesus' question shows that He had nothing to hide. He had taught "in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing" (John 18:20). Barnes reasons that a man plotting rebellion would have trained his friends in secret, but Jesus spoke to everyone. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary puts it simply: "The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it."

There is a quiet irony in the setting. The high priest asked Jesus about His disciples while one of them, at the door and then at the fire, was saying, "I am not" (John 18:17, 25). Jesus did not answer for His disciples. He let His open words stand as His witness, and He went on to drink the cup His Father had given Him (John 18:11).