What Does John 18:20 Mean in the King James?
Jesus answered him, 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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Jesus claims no secret tier of teaching: his words stand openly in the shared world, where people gather.
THE MEANING
The verse places Jesus’ words among gathered listeners and says there is no second teaching reserved for a private circle. Its claim reaches you as something available to hear in the open, not guarded by insider access. Here, openness is part of the message itself.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that Jesus’ truth is a secret doctrine reserved for insiders: he says he has taught nothing in secret.
THE ROOT
παρρησίᾳ
parrēsia
GROWS FROM
παρρησια
Frankness, openness of speech
“openly” in this verse is parrēsia. The Greek word παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia, openness or frankness) describes speech without concealment, not merely speech at high volume. Its word family names both the open manner of speaking and the act of speaking freely.
ALSO GROWS
parrēsiazomai: Speak freely or openly
παρρησιάζομαι
This related verb makes the openness an act of speaking, as in Jesus’ claim about his teaching.
parrēsiastēs: A frank or outspoken speaker
παρρησιαστής
This related noun names a person characterized by the same frankness that marks the speech in this verse.
κρυπτῷ
kryptōi
GROWS FROM
κρυπτ
Hide or conceal from view
The phrase ἐν κρυπτῷ (en kryptōi, in secret) uses the family of κρύπτω (kryptō, to hide). The word οὐδέν (ouden, nothing) negates speech in that concealed sphere, setting hiddenness directly against frank speech.
ALSO GROWS
kryptō: Hide or conceal
κρύπτω
This verb supplies the core idea behind “in secret”: something kept out of view.
apokryptō: Hide away or conceal
ἀποκρύπτω
This related verb carries the same hiddenness into a stronger sense of putting something out of sight.
THE PATTERN
Truth is brought into the open so it can be heard beyond a private circle.
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.THE THREAD
But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?Both verses use παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia, openness or frankness), rendered “boldly” here and “openly” in John 18:20. John 7:26 makes that public frankness visible to onlookers; John 18:20 names it as the quality of Jesus’ teaching.
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