Christ read the priest's purpose as an open book. As if reading the inmost soul of His questioner, He denied that there was between Him and His followers any secret bond of union, or that He gathered them secretly and in the darkness to conceal His designs. He had no secrets in regard to His purposes or doctrines. "I spake openly to the world," He answered; "I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing."

Kristus tydede præstens hensigt, som om det var en åben bog. Som om han kunne læse i den spørgendes inderste sjæl, benægtede han, at der mellem ham og hans disciple fandtes nogen hemmelig overenskomst, eller at han samledes med dem i hemmelighed eller i det skjulte for at dække over sine planer. Med hensyn til sine formål eller sin lære havde han ingen hemmeligheder. "Jeg har talt frit ud til verden" svarede han; "jeg har stadig lært i synagoger og i helligdommen, dér, hvor alle jøderne kommer sammen, og i det skjulte har jeg intet talt."