Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” John 18:19-23

When the Son of God gives a reasonable answer for his actions to the high priest, he was punished for it. We’re 2000+ years removed from this and we still want to scream at the slapper. Why? We think, “do you not realize WHO you just hit?” This would be the first of countless violent actions against Jesus. It would be the first the Son of God would have to endure. Strangely enough, it was all part of the plan, the plan to redeem sinful, violent mankind.

Ex-pro football wide receiver Chris Collingsworth was asked about a dropped touchdown pass in a Super Bowl some 25 years ago. His response, “Not a day in my life passes that I don’t recall that dropped pass.”

We can’t know for certain of course but I suspect those who physically hit Jesus and those who gave the command are thinking about that “dropped pass” two millenia later in eternity, regardless of which view of eternity they’re experiencing. Even the Apostle Paul lamented his pre-conversion persecution actions through the years. Yes there is forgiveness for our actions when we repent but there are still consequences.