Church Fathers Commentary John 18:19-21

"The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing. Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard [me], what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said." — John 18:19-21 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: Since they could bring no charge against Christ, they asked Him about His disciples. The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples—perhaps where they were and for what reason He had gathered them. He wished to prove that Jesus was a seditious and divisive person whom no one followed except His own disciples.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He also asks Him about His doctrine—what it was, and whether it was opposed to Moses and the law—so that he might find a reason to put Him to death as an enemy of God.

Alcuin of York: He does not ask in order to learn the truth, but to find some charge against Him on which to hand Him over to the Roman Governor to be condemned. But our Lord moderates His answer so as neither to conceal the truth nor to appear to be defending Himself. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always gather, and in secret I have said nothing.

St. Augustine of Hippo: A difficulty arises here that should not be overlooked. If He did not speak openly even to His disciples, but only promised that He would do so at a later time, how could He say that He spoke openly to the world? He spoke more openly to His disciples afterward, when they had withdrawn from the crowd, for He then explained His parables, the meaning of which He concealed from the others. Therefore, when He says, I spoke openly to the world, He must be understood to mean that He spoke within the hearing of many. In one sense, then, He spoke openly because many heard Him; but in another sense, He did not speak openly because they did not understand Him. His speaking privately with His disciples was not speaking in secret, for how could He speak secretly before a multitude, especially when that small number of His disciples were meant to proclaim what He said to many more people?

Theophylact of Ohrid: He refers here to the prophecy of Isaiah: I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth.

St. John Chrysostom: Alternatively, He did speak in secret, but not, as they thought, out of fear or to incite rebellion, but only when what He said was beyond the understanding of the crowds. To establish the matter with overwhelming evidence, however, He adds, Why do you ask Me? Ask those who heard Me what I said to them. Look, they know what I said. As if He were saying, “You ask Me about My disciples? Ask My enemies, who lie in wait for Me.” These are the words of one who was confident in the truth of what He said, for it is incontrovertible evidence when enemies are called in as witnesses.

St. Augustine of Hippo: For what they had heard but not understood was not the kind of thing they could justly use against Him. And whenever they tried through questioning to find some charge against Him, He replied in such a way as to thwart all their schemes and refute their slander.