John18
New King James Version
1When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
2And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
3Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
6Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”
9that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
12Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
13And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
14Now it was Caiaphas who advised 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 to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
16But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
18Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
19The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
20Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.
21Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”
22And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”
23Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”
24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”
26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”
27Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
29Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
31Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him 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 saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not 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 rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
39“But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
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