John18
English Standard Version
1When had these , he the , there a , .
2 , , the , .
3 , a band of some the the , .
4 , that would , and to , do you ?
5They , of . to , he. , , was .
6 Jesus to , he, they to the .
7 he , do you ? they , of .
8 , I he. , you , men .
9This was the he had : you I have .
10 , a , the . ( .)
11 to , your ; shall I the the has ?
12 the band of their the of the .
13 they him , he the of , .
14 had the it would be that should the .
15 , so did . to the , with the of the ,
16 the . the , to the , to the servant girl who kept watch at the , .
17 at the to , one , are you? , I .
18 the had a , it , and they were . them, .
19The .
20 , have to the . have the , . have .
21 do you ? those who have I to ; .
22 had these , of the with his hand, , Is that you the ?
23 , what I is , the ; what I said is , do you ?
24 then the .
25 . So they to , one , are you? it , I .
26 the of the , of the man had , , Did the ?
27 it, at a .
28 they the house of the . It . They did the , so that they would be , the .
29 , do you ?
30They , this doing , have to .
31 to , your . The to , It is for to to .
32This was the that had to by of he was going .
33 his to , the of the ?
34 , Do your own , did it to ?
35 , a ? Your the have to . have you ?
36 , . , have been , I might be to the . from the .
37 to , a ? , a . this was this I have the — to the . is the .
38 to , ? he had , he the , .
39 a I should man for the . do you me to to the of the ?
40They , this , ! a .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 18.
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.
Key Words
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
ἔπω (épō): to speak or say (by word or writing)
ταῦτα (taûta): these things
ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai): to issue (literally or figuratively)
σύν (sýn): with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
πέραν (péran): through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across
χείμαῤῥος (cheímarrhos): a storm-runlet, i.e. winter-torrent
Κεδρών (Kedrṓn): Cedron (i.e. Kidron), a brook near Jerusalem
Cross References
John 18Directly fulfills Jesus' recent petition that none of those given Him would be lost.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Recalls Caiaphas' ironic, divinely overruled prophecy that one man should die for the nation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
David crosses the brook Kidron in sorrow, betrayed by a close companion (Ahithophel/Judas type).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel to the Gethsemane prayer where Jesus accepts the bitter cup from His Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Jesus previously fled an earthly crown, confirming His kingdom is not of this world.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul commends Timothy by pointing to Christ's bold, good confession before Pontius Pilate.
Supported by JFB
Establishes Jesus' known custom of retiring to the Mount of Olives at night.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus goes forth willingly, proving He lays down His life of His own accord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Wicked adversaries draw near but stumble and fall backward before His divine majesty.
Supported by John Calvin
Peter charges the Jews with denying the Holy One in favor of a murderer.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ slays/strikes the earth with the rod of His mouth, foreshadowed here.
Supported by John Calvin
Prophetic description of the Messiah giving His cheek to those who strike Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ acts as our exemplar by not reviling in return when suffering unjustly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfills Christ's specific prediction of being lifted up, implying Roman crucifixion rather than stoning.
Supported by Matthew Henry