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Had the high priest questioned Jesus in this manner from any real desire to be his disciple, or from an ordinary and intelligent curiosity, his inquiries would have been received in a very different manner from that in which Jesus did actually respond to them. But it was plain that the whole purpose of the interrogator was to induce Jesus to criminate himself and his disciples. Thus it was that Jesus, taking no notice of the question concerning his adherents, referred the high priest, for information regarding his teaching, to those who had heard him discourse and converse. There could be no difficulty in obtaining evidence upon this; for, as Jesus asserted, his teaching had been open and public, and multitudes of the Jews had heard his doctrine.

I. AS A MATTER OF FACT, OUR LORD FULFILLED HIS MINISTRY AS A PUBLIC TEACHER, WITH UNDENIABLE PUBLICITY. In the country districts he taught in the synagogues, the places appointed for public religious instruction and worship. In the metropolis he was wont to frequent the precincts of the temple, not only upon ordinary occasions, but at the great national festivals. He expressly witnessed that his open instructions had been intended for the benefit of the Jews and of the world at large.

II. AS A RELIGIOUS TEACHER, JESUS HAD NOTHING TO CONCEAL AND EVERYTHING TO PROCLAIM IN PUBLIC. He had nothing to be ashamed of in the whole cycle of his doctrine. And knowing that his communications were adapted to benefit all mankind, Jesus benevolently desired to bring as many as possible under the sound of his voice, under the influence of his revelation, counsels, and promises. His lessons were as the living waters of the brook, which flow in a ceaseless stream, so that all may drink of them and be refreshed.

III. THE PUBLICITY OF CHRIST'S TEACHING SECURED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS INNOCENCE AND OF THE INJUSTICE OF HIS FOES. If he had spoken aught secretly, an opening might have been left for the slanderous imputations of his foes. But all Judea and all Galilee were witnesses to his doctrines concerning God, concerning man, concerning duty, sin, judgment, forgiveness, and life eternal. Of high and holy doctrine unnumbered witnesses were able to testify. But none could be brought forward with any credible account of sayings subversive of order, of peace, of morality. Nothing could be clearer than the inability of Christ's foes to convict him of any teaching which might justify their charges.

IV. IN THIS PUBLICITY CHRIST IS A MODEL FOR ALL HIS FOLLOWERS TO COPY. Christianity has no esoteric doctrines, no secret societies or guilds, no rites or ceremonies for private performance. Christianity is no sect, no party. A world-wide religion, it challenges the attention of all mankind. Those who teach and preach in Christ's name are bound to follow the example of their Lord - to discharge their ministry in public places wherever men resort. The language of the true preacher of wisdom and righteousness is this: "To you, O men, I call, and my voice is unto the sons of men." - T.

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KJV: The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

WEB: The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching.