18:20a

I have spoken openly to the world: This clause indicates that Jesus had preached in places where people in general, the public, could hear him. He had taught openly (publicly), and so, he implied, everyone was aware of what he taught. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I have always spoken publicly to everyone (Good News Translation)
-or-
I have spoken freely in front of everyone. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have always spoken quite openly to the world (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
It was in public that I taught.

openly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as openly means “in public.” Jesus did not teach secretly, like someone trying to cause trouble for the government. In some languages it may be natural to translate openly with a negative. For example:

not secretly
-or-
not hidden

to the world: The word world here refers to people in general, as opposed to Jesus’ disciples alone. Use a natural phrase or idiom to indicate this. For example:

to the public
-or-
to anyone and everyone
-or-
to people in general

Jesus answered: This quotation introducer is short for “Jesus answered the high priest.” The Greek is more literally “Jesus answered him.”

18:20b–c

I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together: This sentence gives examples of the places where Jesus had taught. They were places where the Jews assembled (gathered). Here are other ways to translate this sentence:

I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple courts, where all the Jewish people assemble together. (NET Bible)
-or-
I have always taught in synagogues or in the temple courtyard, where all the Jews gather. (God’s Word)
-or-
all my teaching was done in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the people come together (Good News Translation)

always: This word here means that Jesus did not hide or change his message. What he said to his disciples in private, he also said in public. He did not hide or change his message in public. It does not mean that he never taught his disciples in private. And Jesus did teach people outside on the side of a mountain or near a lake. But again, his message did not change. Here are other ways to translate this idea:

regularly (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊What I taught⌋ I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews gather together.

taught: In some languages it is more natural to tell whom Jesus taught. For example:

taught the people
-or-
taught the crowds
-or-
taught them

synagogues: This word refers to the places that the Jews met to worship and pray. Almost every village had at least one synagogue. The word is plural because Jesus was referring to various synagogues in many different towns and villages. See the note on “synagogue” at 6:59 and how you translated this word there. For example:

our meeting places (Contemporary English Version)

the temple: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple here refers to the entire temple area, including the courtyard. People did not meet inside the temple building because only the priests could go there. You may want to make this clear. For example:

the temple courts (NET Bible)
-or-
the temple courtyard (God’s Word)

You may want to follow this model if your word for “temple” makes people think that they met inside the temple building.

Here are some other ways to translate the term temple in this context:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

courtyard of the house of God
-or-
courtyard of the house of worship
-or-
holy/sacred house courtyard

• If your language has a word for “temple,” consider using it. But you may need to include a description. For example:

courtyard of the temple of the Jews/Lord
-or-

big/great temple courtyard

See Temple, A.1, in Key Biblical Terms for more information about the temple and how to translate the word. See how you translated it in 2:14.

where all the Jews come together: This is a description of the previous places mentioned. It contrasts with being in secret. Because Jesus and his listeners were all Jews themselves, it may be natural to imply that in the translation. For example:

where the people gather (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
where we (incl.) Jews meet
-or-
where all of our people come together (Contemporary English Version)

18:20d

I said nothing in secret: This clause means the same as “I have spoken openly to the world” in 18:20a. It indicates that Jesus did not give secret teachings to his disciples. He did sometimes talk privately with his disciples (for example, when he explained his parables to them). However, his message when he was with his disciples was the same as when he spoke in public. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I did not hide any of my teaching.
-or-
I have never said anything in secret. (Good News Translation)
-or-
I have not given any secret teachings.

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