John 18ASV
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John18

American Standard Version · Public Domain

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 evil-doer, 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.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 18.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ taken in the garden. (1–12). Christ before Annas and Caiaphas. (13–27). Christ before Pilate. (28–40).

vv1-12

Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye? When the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch. 6:15, but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck them down he could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It must have been the effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set us an example of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us; sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighter afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will, or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty; thus the Son makes us free.

vv13-27

Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.

vv28-32

It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned; crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord, what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.

Cross References

John 18
v9John 17:12fulfillment

Directly fulfills Jesus' recent petition that none of those given Him would be lost.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v14John 11:50fulfillment

Recalls Caiaphas' ironic, divinely overruled prophecy that one man should die for the nation.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v12 Samuel 15:23typology

David crosses the brook Kidron in sorrow, betrayed by a close companion (Ahithophel/Judas type).

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11Matthew 26:39thematic

Parallel to the Gethsemane prayer where Jesus accepts the bitter cup from His Father.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v36John 6:15thematic

Jesus previously fled an earthly crown, confirming His kingdom is not of this world.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v371 Timothy 6:13thematic

Paul commends Timothy by pointing to Christ's bold, good confession before Pontius Pilate.

Supported by JFB

v2Luke 21:37thematic

Establishes Jesus' known custom of retiring to the Mount of Olives at night.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4John 10:18thematic

Jesus goes forth willingly, proving He lays down His life of His own accord.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v6Psalms 27:2thematic

Wicked adversaries draw near but stumble and fall backward before His divine majesty.

Supported by John Calvin

v40Acts 3:14contrast

Peter charges the Jews with denying the Holy One in favor of a murderer.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v6Isaiah 11:4fulfillment

Christ slays/strikes the earth with the rod of His mouth, foreshadowed here.

Supported by John Calvin

v22Isaiah 50:6fulfillment

Prophetic description of the Messiah giving His cheek to those who strike Him.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v231 Peter 2:23thematic

Christ acts as our exemplar by not reviling in return when suffering unjustly.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v32John 12:32fulfillment

Fulfills Christ's specific prediction of being lifted up, implying Roman crucifixion rather than stoning.

Supported by Matthew Henry