John 18
Betrayal and Arrest
18:1 When 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.
After the Last Supper, Jesus walked across the Kidron Valley. David was betrayed by his good friend, Ahithophel, while crossing the Kidron and going up toward the Mount of Olives. Jesus was also betrayed by His “trusted friend” Judas in the same way and in the same place.
18:2 (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, knew the place too, because Jesus had met there many times with his disciples.)
During the Passover, many other devout Jews from all over the Roman Empire would sleep in tents all around the groves of Jerusalem. Jesus and His disciples would spend the night in these orchard groves.
18:3 So 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.
This detachment of Roman soldiers was a cohort, which included 300-600 men. They were sent to arrest the King of the universe.
18:4 Then Jesus, because he knew everything that was going to happen to him, came and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
Jesus is omniscient. He knows all things. He was not taken by surprise. He was a willing, voluntary sacrifice. He could have run away and escaped in the dark just as His disciples did. Jesus wanted to be arrested.
Although Jesus was unarmed, He was in complete control. It was Jesus who was asking the questions. Jesus was also in control when He gave Himself up to the authorities.
18:5 They replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He told them, “I am he.” (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was standing there with them.)
Notice that Jesus was not called “Lord,” but “Nazarene.” Nazareth was a despised city of Judaism.
18:6 So when Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they retreated and fell to the ground.
Jesus pronounced the “I am” name of God. The name of Jesus knocked 600 Roman soldiers to the ground.
18:7 Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
Man is so totally depraved and evil that even if 600 Roman soldiers were knocked to the ground by the voice of God, the unbelievers still would not believe in Jesus.
18:8 Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, let these men go.”
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus demanded protection of His sheep.
18:9 He said this to fulfill the word he had spoken, “I have not lost a single one of those whom you gave me.”
Jesus predicted in John 10:11 that He would not lose any of His sheep.
18:10 Then 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.)
Peter was very courageous, but also very foolish. Jesus had just knocked 600 Roman soldiers to the ground. He did not need the help of Peter’s one little sword. Peter should have been arrested and crucified with Jesus, but he was protected by the Great Shepherd.
Notice that Peter was a better fisherman than he was a swordsman. Luke was a doctor. He recorded that Jesus miraculously healed the servant’s ear. Peter had great heart and was zealous for the Lord, but it was not in God’s plan for him to die with Jesus. God still had work for Peter to do. Zeal without knowledge in Bible doctrine often leads men astray
18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath! Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus had constantly taught the disciples about His coming death, but without illumination, no one can understand the Word of God. Jesus was to drink the cup of God’s wrath.
Jesus Before Annas
18:12 Then the squad of soldiers with their commanding officer and the officers of the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus and tied him up.
The Creator of the universe allowed His creation to arrest and bind Him. The disciples had scattered. Jesus was left alone with men of the satanic world system who wanted to humiliate and kill Him.
18:13 They brought him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
Annas was no longer the High Priest of Israel. He had been appointed to high priest by Quirinius in 6 A.D. According to the Jewish law, the high priest office was for life. Romans did not like to give this much power to one man, so they frequently changed high priests whenever they desired.
Caiaphas was the current High Priest who was appointed by Rome. He was the son-in-law of Annas. Annas was the real power behind the throne.
18:14 (Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.)
Caiaphas thought that he was giving good advice, but he was actually uttering a prophecy of truth.
Peter’s First Denial
18:15 Simon 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.)
The other disciple was unknown, but it was most likely John, the author of this book. These two disciples were the two witnesses required by the Mosaic Law.
18:16 But Simon 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.
This other disciple knew the high priest, so he was able to get access to the trial of Jesus. The Holy Spirit worked out this divine arrangement so that the information could be recorded in Scripture.
18:17 The 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.”
Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him three times before the early morning rooster crows. This was the first denial.
18:18 (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.)
Jerusalem was about 2,500 feet above sea level, making it cool in the early Spring mornings. This little detail is another indication that the author of this book was an actual eyewitness.
Jesus Questioned by Annas
18:19 While this was happening, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
The God of the universe was under arrest and questioned like a criminal.
18:20 Jesus 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.
Jesus did not run a secret cult which met behind closed doors. All of His teachings were made in public where everyone could hear His message.
18:21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said. They know what I said.”
Jesus was innocent until proven guilty. It was the responsibility of the accusers to provide witnesses.
18:22 When 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?”
It was illegal to strike an unconvicted person.
18:23 Jesus replied, “If I have said something wrong, confirm what is wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why strike me?”
The plaintiff was responsible for bringing two witnesses to agree in testimony against Jesus. The Sanhedrin was not able to accomplish this task.
18:24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Jesus was most likely sent to Annas first, so that Caiaphas would have time to assemble the rest of the Sanhedrin for this early morning illegal trial.
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
18:25 Meanwhile 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!”
This was Peter’s second denial.
18:26 One 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?” 18:27 Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
This was Peter’s third denial. The rooster immediately crowed. God is so sovereign, that not only was prophecy fulfilled that very morning, but the rooster decided to crow immediately after the fulfillment.
Jesus Brought Before Pilate
18:28 Then 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.
The Jews wanted capital punishment for Jesus, but they must receive permission from the Roman government. Notice that the Jews would not enter into the house of a Gentile, but they did not mind murdering their own Messiah.
18:29 So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
Notice that Pilate did not recognize Jesus as “Lord”.
18:30 They replied, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”
The Jewish religious leaders labeled their own Messianic King as a criminal guilty of blasphemy.
18:31 Pilate 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.”
The Jews were a tribute nation. They did not have the authority for capital punishment.
18:32 (This happened to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken when he indicated what kind of death he was going to die.)
Psalm 22 prophesied that the Messiah would be crucified. It also predicted that Gentile dogs would surround Him and mock Him. For more information about the Gentile dogs, see Psalm 22.
Pilate Questions Jesus
18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
According to Roman law, Caesar was King of the Jews. If Jesus answered “yes,” then He would be charged with treason against Rome.
18:34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?”
Notice that Jesus was asking the judge the questions. Pilate was the one who was actually on trial.
18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Pilate was being sarcastic to the God of the universe.
18:36 Jesus 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.”
Rome was always looking to stomp out a rebellion before it could get started. Jesus informed Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world. He was not interested in an insurrection.
18:37 Then 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.”
Jesus was born as a king. He came into the world as a king. He came into the world to testify of truth. Only the elect will listen to and understand the truth.
18:38 Pilate 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.
Pilate was blinded by the satanic world system. Truth was standing right in front of him, but he could not recognize it.
Pilate could not find Jesus guilty of any Roman Law. Jesus should have been released.
18:39 But 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?”
This was a very unorthodox decision for a Roman governor to make. Jesus should have been released. The guilty prisoner should have been executed.
18:40 Then they shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
In Aramaic, Barabbas means “son of the father.” Jesus was the true “Son of the Father.” Jesus took the place of Barabbas. Jesus died so that Barabbas could Iive. Pilate was showing poor judgment by releasing a murderer and executing the God of the universe. However, this is the mind of one who is totally and depraved. Every man who is not elected by God will make this same choice.