Jesus is bound and taken to Caiphas and questioned about his followers and teaching.
John 18:20 I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
John 18:20 I have spoken openly to the world, I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
I myself relayed a candor to this society. I myself always taught in a meeting and the temple where all the Jewish met, and I in secret relayed nothing
The Greek word translated as "openly" is not an adverb in form. It is a noun, meaning "freedom of speech." Christ is saying that he urged all people to be open and honest, not just that he himself was. The word translated as "spake/spoken," and later in the sentence as "said" is no the common word for "speak" or "said. It is a verb referring to passing on information like "gossip." Jesus uses it in a self-deprecating way to refer to his pasing on the information.
The last phrase here is a little misleading. Jesus did teach in parables (Matthew 13:13) and explained those parables privately to his followers (Mark 4:11). In John 16:25), he made a point of being more candid with his followers, but notice the he doesn't say "teach" is this last part. Jesus is drawing a line between his relaying information and his teaching or explaining. He relayed information in public. He explained some of it in private.
The secret is not in the statement but in its explanation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "spake" indicates the past, but the tense is the past pefect.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "spake" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "openly" is not an adverb but a noun.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "synagogues" means "meeting." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "always" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "said" does not capture the word's specific meaning. It is translated as "spake" above.
- MW -- Missing Word -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "spoken" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "openly" is not an adverb but a noun.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "synagogues" means "meeting." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "or" should be something more like "and."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "at" is the same word translated as "in" above.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "said" does not capture the word's specific meaning. It is translated as "spake" above.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun's accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
spake - (CW, WT) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information. "Spake" is an archaic past tense, but the verb is the past perfect.
openly -- (WF) The word translated as "openly" is not an adverb but a noun meaning "outspokeness" and "freedom of speech." It literally means "everything said" or "everything gushing" with a sense of flowing language or ideas.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world; -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
I [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
ever -- The word translated as "ever" means "at all times" but what makes it interesting is that Christ seldom uses this word but it occurs twice in this verse. Most people use the term, "always," whenever they discuss something that is done frequently. Christ never makes this mistake. He also uses the word for "never" (in the sense of "at no time") just as rarely.
taught -- The Greek verb translated as "taught" means "to teach", "to instruct", and "to give a sign of." It is the root for the common word for "teacher" or "master."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
synagogue, -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "synagogues" is the source of our English word. It simply means an assembly or place of assembly. It comes from a Greek word Christ uses commonly, sunagô, to mean "gather" or "bring together."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
temple, - "The temple" is a word related to the one above, from the same root, which means literally "holy place" or "temple." Both come from the root word, which means "super-human," "mighty," "divine," "wonderful" and "holy." This makes "holy man" a "wonderful man" and a "holy place," a "wonderful place."
whither -- The word translated as "whither" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Jews - "Jews" is from a Greek word meaning Jew. It is also the future particple of a verb meaning "to side with."
always -- (OS) The word translated as "always" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
resort; -- The word translated as "resort" means "get together," assemble," "meet," and similar ideas. This is the only time Jesus used this word. This is from the same word translated as "synagogue" above.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
secret -- The word translated as "secret" also means "hidden" and concealed."
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
said -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "said" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information. It is translated as "spake" above.
nothing. -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, this pronoun's accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.
missing "myself" -- (MW) The subject pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
spoken - (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.
openly -- (WF) The word translated as "openly" is not an adverb but a noun meaning "outspokeness" and "freedom of speech." It literally means "everything said" or "everything gushing" with a sense of flowing language or ideas.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
world; -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
I [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
always -- The word translated as "always " means "at all times" but what makes it interesting is that Christ seldom uses this word but it occurs twice in this verse. Most people use the term, "always," whenever they discuss something that is done frequently. Christ never makes this mistake. He also uses the word for "never" (in the sense of "at no time") just as rarely.
taught -- The Greek verb translated as "taught" means "to teach", "to instruct", and "to give a sign of." It is the root for the common word for "teacher" or "master."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
synagogue, -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "synagogues" is the source of our English word. It simply means an assembly or place of assembly. It comes from a Greek word Christ uses commonly, sunagô, to mean "gather" or "bring together."
or -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
at -- (CW) The word translated as "at" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
temple, - "The temple" is a word related to the one above, from the same root, which means literally "holy place" or "temple." Both come from the root word, which means "super-human," "mighty," "divine," "wonderful" and "holy." This makes "holy man" a "wonderful man" and a "holy place," a "wonderful place."
where -- The word translated as "where" means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
all-- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Jews - "Jews" is from a Greek word meaning Jew. It is also the future particple of a verb meaning "to side with."
come .-- The word translated as "resort" means "get together," assemble," "meet," and similar ideas. This is the only time Jesus used this word. This is from the same word translated as "synagogue" above.
together -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "together."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation. "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
said -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "said" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information. It is translated as "spake" above.
nothing. -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
secret -- The word translated as "secret" also means "hidden" and concealed."
Ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
παρρησίᾳ [2 verses] (adv) "Openly" is parresia, which means "outspokenness", "frankness," and "freedom of speech." It is from the prefix pa-, meaning "everything" and the root, rheo, meaning to "flow" or "utter."
λελάληκα [49 verses](1st sg perf ind act) "Spake" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another. -
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόσμῳ: [63 verses](noun sg masc dat) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.
πάντοτε [8 verses](adverb) "Ever" is from pantote, which means "always," "at all time," and literally breaks down to "all then." "All" is from pas- that means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether." "Then" is from -tote, which means "at that time" and "then."
ἐδίδαξα [12 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Teaching" is didasko, which means "to teach", "to instruct", "to indicate", "to explain," and "to give sign of."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
συναγωγῇ [14 verses] (noun sg fem dat) "Synagogue" is synagoge, which means a "bringing together," "assembly," "place of assembly," "contracting," "collection," "combination," "conclusion," and "demonstration." It comes from a Greek word Christ uses commonly, sunagô, to mean "gather" or "bring together."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."\
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἱερῷ, [7 verses](adj sg masc dat) "The temple" is from hieron, means which means "filled with or manifesting divine power," "holy," "consecrated," "under divine protection," "holy place," "sacred principle," and "supernatural." It is related to the word used for "priest." Both come from the word hieros, which means "super-human," "mighty," "divine," "wonderful" and "holy."
ὅπου [32 verses] (adv/conj) "Whither" is hopou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."
πάντες [212 verses](adj sg masc nom) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."
οἱ [821 verses](adj pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
Ἰουδαῖοι [3 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Jews" is from Ioudaios, which means "Jew."
συνέρχονται, [1 verse] (3rd pl pres ind mp) "Resort" is from synerchomai, which means "get together", "come together", "assemble", "meet", "meet in battle," and "band together." Of things, it means "to be joined in one." Of events, it means "to concur" and "to happen together.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
κρυπτῷ [5 verses] (adj sg neut dat ) "Secret" is kryptos, which is an adjective meaning "hidden", "secret", "concealed", "in disguise [of people]", "secret service," and "deep-seated."
ἐλάλησα [49 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind act) "I have said" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another.
οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom /acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
As my work has gone on, I have come to the conclusion that Christ uses the word laleo primarily in the later sense, meaning "to proclaim." He uses a couple of other much, much more common verbs (lego, eipon) to refer to simply speaking. He uses laleo specifically to describe his proclamations. I have made this distinction before and in this verse we see why it is important to see this.
While Christ may teach or speak about certain things in private, he makes no proclamations in private. He is being asked by the high priest here specifically about his "doctrine," that is, his proclamations. He makes no secret about those. He has discussed and debated them openly with the scribes and the Pharisees since the beginning, especially the areas where he disagrees with the common approach.