John 18:21
Arabic SAB (الكتاب الشريف)
إِذَنْ لِمَاذَا تَسْأَلُنِي أَنَا؟ اِسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ سَمِعُوا، عَنِ الْأَشْيَاءِ الَّتِي كَلَّمْتُهُمْ بِهَا، فَهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَ مَا قُلْتُ.“
What Does This Mean?
In John 18:21, Jesus is speaking to those questioning Him and tells them that they should ask the people who heard what He said for an accurate account of His words. This verse shows Jesus' confidence in the truthfulness of his message.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where someone asks your friends about something you did. Instead of answering yourself, you say, 'Ask my friends, they know exactly what happened.' That's kind of like what Jesus is doing here!
Historical Background
The Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John around AD 90-100 for a largely Gentile Christian audience in Asia Minor. The cultural setting involved Jewish and Roman legal systems where public testimony was highly valued.
Living It Out Today
When we speak truthfully, we can confidently point to others who have witnessed our actions or heard our words as evidence of what is true. For example, if someone accuses you of lying about your work performance, you could ask them to talk to your colleagues who saw the effort and results.
Topics
truthfulnesswitnessingintegritytestimonyjusticeconfidence
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus point to others for testimony instead of explaining himself further?
Jesus was emphasizing that His words and actions were public knowledge, available for scrutiny by anyone who had heard Him. This approach underscores the importance of integrity and transparency.
Is this verse about honesty or is it more about legal defense?
While it touches on aspects of both, it primarily highlights Jesus' trust in the truthfulness of His words and actions, which were witnessed by many. It's a lesson in integrity and confidence.
How does this verse relate to modern courtroom practices?
This verse reflects principles seen in modern courtrooms where witness testimonies are crucial for establishing facts. Both settings value the truth as told by those who were present.
What lessons can we learn from Jesus' response style here?
We can learn to be confident and honest about our actions, knowing that others can vouch for us if necessary. This encourages transparency in our daily lives.
Compare John 18:21 across all translations →