Philip Christian Parks on John 18:18 - 3 years ago
The identity of the "officers" recorded in John 18:3 (continued) =
3rd, the officer that "struck JESUS" (v.22) was just "one of the officers" in this plurality. He was in the close and immediate presence, company, and service of the High Priest (v.19). This officer was a Jew because the high priest would not have allowed a Gentile Roman military soldier (officer) in such close quarters for fear of ceremonial defilement (v.28).
Ironically, this officer and his fellow officers may have previously voiced another opinion concerning CHRIST: "Never man spoke like This Man" ( Jn. 7:46).
4th, the officer that struck JESUS (v.22) was a Jew because he thought JESUS disrespected the high priest. A Gentile Roman military officer would consider this confrontation a trivial insult between Jews and would not bother inserting himself in such matters.
5th, the Jews greatly feared potential ceremonial defilement during the Passover (v.28). Therefore, they exercised great care to avoid Gentile contact. These officers were Jews because contact was not a defilement issue (see vv. 3, 12, 18, and 22).
6th, John 19:6 clearly prove the nationality of these officers as Jews. There, the verse implies the officers stand with the chief priests and join their murderous rage demanding Pilate to crucify CHRIST.
7th, Roman military personnel simply would not serve the Jews by accomplishing or enforcing their religious mandates. Rather the reverse would occur. When CHRIST said, "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" ( Mt. 5:41), HE referred to Gentile Roman officials who abused their authority by oppressing the Jews into menial governmental service, usually by delivering posts and dispatches, or by forcing Jews to carry their military and personal packs and equipment. Forcing Simon of Cyrene to bear CHRIST's cross is a Scriptural example of such compelling ( Mt. 27:32; Mk. 15:21; Lu. 23:26).
3rd, the officer that "struck JESUS" (v.22) was just "one of the officers" in this plurality. He was in the close and immediate presence, company, and service of the High Priest (v.19). This officer was a Jew because the high priest would not have allowed a Gentile Roman military soldier (officer) in such close quarters for fear of ceremonial defilement (v.28).
Ironically, this officer and his fellow officers may have previously voiced another opinion concerning CHRIST: "Never man spoke like This Man" ( Jn. 7:46).
4th, the officer that struck JESUS (v.22) was a Jew because he thought JESUS disrespected the high priest. A Gentile Roman military officer would consider this confrontation a trivial insult between Jews and would not bother inserting himself in such matters.
5th, the Jews greatly feared potential ceremonial defilement during the Passover (v.28). Therefore, they exercised great care to avoid Gentile contact. These officers were Jews because contact was not a defilement issue (see vv. 3, 12, 18, and 22).
6th, John 19:6 clearly prove the nationality of these officers as Jews. There, the verse implies the officers stand with the chief priests and join their murderous rage demanding Pilate to crucify CHRIST.
7th, Roman military personnel simply would not serve the Jews by accomplishing or enforcing their religious mandates. Rather the reverse would occur. When CHRIST said, "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" ( Mt. 5:41), HE referred to Gentile Roman officials who abused their authority by oppressing the Jews into menial governmental service, usually by delivering posts and dispatches, or by forcing Jews to carry their military and personal packs and equipment. Forcing Simon of Cyrene to bear CHRIST's cross is a Scriptural example of such compelling ( Mt. 27:32; Mk. 15:21; Lu. 23:26).
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