John — Chapter 18
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1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I amhe. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20Jesus 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.
21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
2Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.
3Judas then, having received the band [of soldiers], and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?
5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6When therefore he said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8Jesus answered, I told you that I am [he]; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.
10Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest`s servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant`s name was Malchus.
11Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
13and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
14Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and [so did] another disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
16but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also [one] of this man`s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18Now the servants and the officers were standing [there], having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.
20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.
21Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard [me], what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
22And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also [one] of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not.
26One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27Peter therefore denied again: and straightway the cock crew.
28They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
29Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.
31Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should die.
33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.
39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)
1When he had said these things, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley. There was an orchard there, and he and his disciples went into it.
2(Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, knew the place too, because Jesus had met there many times with his disciples.)
3So Judas obtained a squad of soldiers and some officers of the chief priests and Pharisees. They came to the orchard with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Then Jesus, because he knew everything that was going to happen to him, came and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
5They replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He told them, “I am he.” (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was standing there with them.)
6So when Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they retreated and fell to the ground.
7Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, let these men go.”
9He said this to fulfill the word he had spoken, “I have not lost a single one of those whom you gave me.”
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.)
11But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath! Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
12Then the squad of soldiers with their commanding officer and the officers of the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus and tied him up.
13They brought him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
14(Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.)
15Simon Peter and another disciple followed them as they brought Jesus to Annas. (Now the other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.)
16But Peter was left standing outside by the door. So the other disciple who was acquainted with the high priest came out and spoke to the slave girl who watched the door, and brought Peter inside.
17The girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You’re not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” He replied, “I am not.”
18(Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire they had made, warming themselves because it was cold. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.)
19While this was happening, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
20Jesus replied, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple courts, where all the Jewish people assemble together. I have said nothing in secret.
21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said. They know what I said.”
22When Jesus had said this, one of the high priest’s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said, “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”
23Jesus replied, “If I have said something wrong, confirm what is wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why strike me?”
24Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.
25Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing in the courtyard warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” Peter denied it: “I am not!”
26One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the orchard with him?”
27Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
28Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence. (Now it was very early morning.) They did not go into the governor’s residence so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.
29So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30They replied, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”
31Pilate told them, “Take him yourselves and pass judgment on him according to your own law!” The Jewish leaders replied, “We cannot legally put anyone to death.”
32(This happened to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken when he indicated what kind of death he was going to die.)
33So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?”
35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
37Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
38Pilate asked, “What is truth?” When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders and announced, “I find no basis for an accusation against him.
39But it is your custom that I release one prisoner for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”
40Then they shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,”
9that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
10Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
12So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
13and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.
15Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
16but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.”
18Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
19The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching.
20Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret.
21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.”
22When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
23Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”
24Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.
25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.”
26One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?”
27Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.
28They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
29Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”
31Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”
32that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
34Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?”
35Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”
36Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
37Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
39But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Summary
Jesus is betrayed in Gethsemane (declaring "I AM" and causing soldiers to fall), arrested, tried before Annas and Caiaphas, denied by Peter, and brought before Pilate — telling him "My kingdom is not of this world."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Gethsemane / the Kidron Valley (v.1): Jesus crossed the Kidron Brook (east of Jerusalem) and entered a garden on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. He was arrested here.
- Annas' and Caiaphas' house (vv.13-24): Jesus was taken first to Annas, then to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter denied Jesus in the courtyard.
- The Praetorium (v.28): The Roman governor's headquarters in Jerusalem where Jesus was tried before Pilate.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the significance of Jesus saying "I AM" in the garden, Peter's sword vs. Jesus' submission, the Jewish trial process, and Pilate's tragic question about truth.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Arrest of Jesus" on vv.4-8 (MTP Vol. 37, No. 2193) "He went forth — not dragged, not surprised, not overwhelmed. He went forth knowing all things. He met them. He identified Himself. He protected His disciples. Every step of the arrest was under His control. They did not take Him — He gave Himself." Sermon: "What Is Truth?" on v.38 (MTP Vol. 34, No. 2039) "Pilate asked the question and turned away. That is the tragedy of unbelief — not that men cannot find truth, but that they will not wait for the answer. Truth was standing before him. He walked away."
Videos
David Guzik — Enduring Word Video Series (John)
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QIfO0mxbX4zgQH4vuK6q1q7gu8Ok6tz John 18:1-18 - Glory Under Arrest: John 18:19-40 - Glory On Trial:
Reflection
- 1. Jesus "went forth" to meet His arresters — He was not surprised or overwhelmed. He walked into suffering with full knowledge and full willingness. When you face suffering, do you see it as something happening to you, or as something you can walk into with Christ's strength?
- 2. Peter drew his sword to fight — Jesus told him to put it away (v.11). Peter's instinct was to protect Jesus through force. Jesus' way was submission to the Father's will. Where in your life are you fighting battles with the wrong weapons?
- 3. Peter warmed himself at the enemy's fire (v.18) — and denied Jesus three times. Compromise often begins with small decisions to be comfortable in the wrong company. Where are you warming yourself at fires that are pulling you away from Christ?
- 4. Pilate asked "What is truth?" and walked away (v.38). He had Truth standing in front of him and chose political convenience over it. Where in your life are you walking away from truth because acting on it would cost you something?
- 5. When Jesus said "I AM," the soldiers fell backward (v.6). Even in His arrest, His divine power was evident — He chose not to use it. What does it mean to you that Jesus had the power to escape but chose to submit? How does that shape your understanding of the cross?
- 6. Peter cut off Malchus' ear — an act of misguided loyalty. Jesus healed it (Luke 22:51). Jesus cleaned up Peter's mess even on the way to the cross. Has Jesus ever cleaned up a mess you made? How does that grace affect your loyalty to Him?
- 7. Peter denied Jesus three times — the man who had said "I will lay down my life for you." What does Peter's failure tell you about the danger of self-confidence in spiritual matters? How do you guard against it?
- 8. The religious leaders were careful not to defile themselves ritually while they were murdering an innocent man (v.28). Religious scrupulousness can coexist with profound moral blindness. Where might you be careful about religious externals while missing something more important?
- 9. Jesus told Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world" (v.36). How does living as a citizen of a heavenly kingdom change how you relate to earthly power, politics, and authority?