The Horror of Smiting Jesus
John 18:22-23
And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying…


King Croesus had a son who was dumb all his days until the siege of Sardis, when, seeing a Persian soldier rush to strike the king, this dumb son of his found his voice, and cried, "Man, kill not Croesus!" This burst of anguish broke the impediment, and he spoke for the first time in his life. As I enter into the spirit of the fact, and seem to see a contemptible slave strike the face of Jesus, a fiery sting strikes my own face, I feel my heart burst, and my brow burn; it seems to me that had I been dumb, and a witness of this deed, I should have spoken out! So any Christian is ready to say.

(C. Stanford, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

WEB: When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, "Do you answer the high priest like that?"




The Hand that Struck Jesus
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