John 18:22–23

In these verses is recorded Christs conflict with one of the high Priests officers, who smites Christ ignominiously, and challengeth him for speaking in such a manner to the high Priest, v. 22. The reason whereof is not to be taken from this, that Christ appealing to his hearers, v. 21. (of which sort these officers also had been, chap. 7.32, 46.) he, by this practice, will clear himselfe of any respect to his doctrine. But the cause of it was his respect to the high Priest his Master; And he thus dealeth with Christ, because he answered not reverently, as he conceived, and because he carried himselfe so confidently. Christ, in his answer, (v. 23.) doth taxe this way of procedure, urging, that if he had spoken wrong, the Court was now sitting legally to examine him, and he might orderly accuse and bear witnesse, and not abuse him: and if he had spoken right, it was a great injury so to use him, especially before a Judicatory.

From v. 22. Learn, 1. Corrupt Masters have ordinarily corrupt servants; and as sometime servants may corrupt their Masters, so it is as frequent that servants are corrupted by their Masters, Prov. 29.12, for, here, the officers are such as their Master was. 2. Mens greatnesse (though accompanied with no goodnesse) doth ordinarily so dazzle the eyes of others, that they think it intolerable any should not doat on them as themselves do, were their courses never so evil; for, that he was the high Priest, is enough to make this officer take it ill that Christ did not (as he thought) give more reverence to him, and that although he was unworthy and nothing like that office, and was even now persecuting Christ. 3. Great ones, and their adherents, do think their authority contemned, if they be not absolutely humoured and get all their will, though to the prejudice and quitting of truth; for, albeit Christ, in his answer, do only taxe their illegal proceeding, and adhereth to truth and the defence thereof in a legal way; Yet this officer cannot endure he should thus stand to his point, and not yield to the high Priest: And therefore with a buffet enquireth, answerest thou the high Priest so? 4. Christ did endure buffeting and contemptible usage, even from enferiour servants, giving his check to the nippers; to testifie that shame and reproachful usage was our due; yea, even to be buffeted with Satans Messengers; and that such as flee to him, have the curse of such a lot removed, and it sanctified unto them; for, to teach and purchase this, was our surety stricken with the palm of this officers hand.

From v. 23. Learn, 1. However men may think to drive Christ and his followers from truth and duty by buffeting, yet that will not prevail, so long as they cannot be convinced that God is against them; which would prevail with a conscience that otherwise will not be beaten from truth: Therefore, Christ, being thus abused, insists mainly on this, if he had spoken evil or well, as the thing to be discussed, before he could alter his way. 2. Albeit Christ require that his people resist not evil, yet his meaning is only to binde up their hands from private revenge, and not to shut their mouthes from complaining to Authority; for, here his own practice expounds that precept, Matth. 5.39. in that, though he will not avenge himself; yet he complains of the injurie, before their Judicatory, and warrants the man, not to strike him illegally, but to bear witnesse of the evil. 3. There is no cause that cometh before men, but (for the most part) it is like to have fairer justice then Christs cause, all men being unreasonable and absurd here, who have not faith, 2 Thess. 3.2. for, so much doth Christs arguing import, where, by an argument pinching on all hands, he intimates he got foule play, whether he had spoken evil or well. 4. Christ in his own person hath underlien unreasonable usage, that he might expiate our desert hereof, and our absurd walking contrary to God; and might sanctifie such a lot to his followers, and assure them that he (having drunk this cup for them) will see them righted and get faire play, one way or other; for, so much may we gather for our use, from this usage whereof he complains.