19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
Changing stages in the Biblical narrative, so to speak, the action has shifted and we now discover Jesus being questioned by the High Priest regarding our Lord’s disciples and doctrine. His enemies desired to know the principal points of His creed – what He required of His followers. These would have been normal questions of those fearful of an insurrection. Yet interestingly, they had already made an order of excommunication for anyone confessing Him – they certainly were not in the dark. Earlier in John we discover their knowledge of His ways:
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. John 9:22 (NIV)
These leaders were simply out to get Jesus to accuse Himself- a ploy to have Him criminate Himself. This, of course, was not fair, just or reasonable. Surely they hoped they would discover something of which to accuse Him as they feared His popularity, growing following and particularly how things might eventually turn out for them. Fearful of losing their lofty positions men often do flagrant things. We discover earlier in John the fears of the chief priests, Pharisees and the Sanhedrin:
47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." John 11:47-48 (NIV)
Our Lord had been fair and open in the proclamation of His doctrine. His ways were not hidden. Jesus had been pristinely clear that He was not leading a rebellion. Matthew records His Words:
55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.” Matt 26:55 (NIV)
Jesus held no secrets. He was no feigned character with ulterior motives. Secrets are Satan’s domain. Jesus speaks of this in Revelation to the Church at Thyatira:
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. Rev 2:24-25 (NIV)
Our Lord had done nothing in an underhanded or clandestine way – always speaking openly to the world. He spoke to all who had “ears to hear” - anyone willing to hear – high or low, Jew or Gentile, learned or unlearned, friend or foe. He preached the same doctrine in the synagogues in the country as He had done in the temple in Jerusalem as well as on the mountaintops, private houses and the seaside. He was clear and consistent just as He calls His followers to be. He taught nothing nor said nothing to be ashamed of. Matthew gives us evidence of the openness in His way of teaching:
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matt 4:23-25 (NIV)
“God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.” John of the Cross
Jesus never spoke secretly as if He had any cause for shame. Our Lord was a public speaker and did not withhold any part of His message from any class of the population - proclaiming equal boldness in everyis teaching place. This was our Lord’s own account therefore we know it to be Truth. Jesus is referring here to the substance of His doctrine though His form of teaching could at times vary.
The boldness and dignity of our Lord’s reply is noteworthy as well and serves as an example for every Christian to be courageous and unflinching in their testimony and tone as an innocent defendant before an unjust and unrighteous judge. Christians are called to be both bold and innocent:
1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Prov 28:1 (NIV)
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matt 10:16 (NIV)
“I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” John Calvin