named after the Jesus Lied guy.

It's the question over John 18:20

20 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.John 18:20 NSV

So, first, WHAT does this passage mean?

• John 7:26: And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?

Based on John 7:26 the intent of the author is to equate or link the act of teaching in public with the priests, rabbis and government officials somehow agreeing with (in their own minds) that Jesus was the Christ. I.E. the implication is “they knew”. So, in John 18:20 the author is putting the insinuation into Jesus' mouth that “You know I am the Christ, so how can your accusation be true?”

• Isaiah 48:16: Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.

Based on this verse the point is being emphasized that the character of Jesus is aligned with the character of God–because God does not do things in secret (Amos 3:7 God does nothing without revealing it to his prophets). So, this looks bad now, because why did Jesus say this? Was it done to insert this (i.e whole-cloth lie) to promote the character of Jesus OR was it incidental? The question arises because it's such an odd thing to say out of the blue when questioned about his teaching.

• John 7:4: For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”

• Luke 21:37: And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.
• Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
• Luke 4:15: And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
• Matthew 26:55: At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
• Matthew 9:35: And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
• Isaiah 45:19: I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.
• John 10:23-39: and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
• John 8:2: Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.
• John 7:28: So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know.
• Luke 20:1-8: One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
• Luke 19:45-47: And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him,
• Acts 26:26: For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
• Psalm 40:9: I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. (speaks of the davicic covenant–a messiah will not restrain his lips)
• Psalm 22:22: I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

Overall when these passages appear in the NT they appear to somehow insinuate against those who 'should have known', to implicate them in some manner– or to link Jesus with the old testament – but not as natural statements in the story.

The reason, then, is solely to implicate people who do not automatically believe Jesus:

• John 15:22: If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
• John 7:26: And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?