John 18

 John 18 
“Gethsemane”

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 

This “garden” called Gethsemane (meaning oil/olive press) is where Jesus will face his final and most agonizing temptation; where, just as olives must be pressed to produce oil, the pressure of this final testing will cause blood to literally infuse into his sweet glands, in a condition brought about by extreme anguish, called hematidrosis. It is very rare and shows us the immense pressure that Jesus was under at that point.


Now is that time: where Satan will attempt to succeed, where he failed in Luke 4:1-13


And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13


Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 

So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 


{Read: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46} Jesus, having overcome this final agonizing temptation, now, once again, sets his face like flint; steadfast and unfaltering. He will be this way until the end. He knows exactly what is coming; because he is God; and this is something that only God can do! 


{He has already done for us, what the first Adam couldn’t do: He has completely overcome Satan; and will not be bothered by him again concerning this issue: What is about to occur in Vs.6 will be a demonstration of this.}


Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 

Why would Jesus ask such a question? He knew who they were seeking as surely as they did. 

Here is the moment where he will separate himself from his disciples and walk the final, agonizing part of this journey alone. (Except, remember: Ch.16:32 - he is really not alone: See also Genesis 22:4-5 - a foreshadowing of this moment.)

They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 

Here is also the moment where, through their own acknowledgment of His Name, they will experience firsthand, the power behind that Name. “I AM” Exodus 3:14.


When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 

{When we consider that this event occurred after his overthrowing of Satan, moments earlier, we are able to see it in an entirely new light!}

So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 

Because Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Ch.15:13

And: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”Ch.10:11

{Note the stance of Judas (Vs.5). Here is solemn warning: Like Judas, we can be “with”, Jesus, hear the words of Jesus, even perform the signs of Jesus: And yet, all the while, we never truly knew Him. (Matthew 7:21-23)

We must live by the true message of the Gospel (See note on Ch.6:28-29): And we must never leave the shadow of the Cross.}


“Simon Peter”

10 Then 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.) 

How did Peter come to “have a sword”? Read Luke 22:35-38 (Jesus is about to be arrested and crucified; and he is giving his disciples some very practical instructions on how they are to survive until he returns - which fortunately for them, will not be long.) 

And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” - or, a better rendering of this would be “Enough of this.” Jesus’s chastening of them at the idea of taking two swords, when he had instructed only one, gives us a clue, that he knows - how at least one of his disciples - is going to use his sword.

This is how it is, that He (Jesus) truly was “numbered among the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Again, we can think back to another time, where Peter, once again, attempts to protect Jesus; once again resulting in a swift and astounding rebuke from the Lord: See Matthew 16:22 

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.

And Luke, in his Gospel, describes this moment in even more detail

“No more of this!” And he (Jesus) touched his (the servant’s) ear and healed him. Luke 22:51


“Peter”

Peter (who for the second time, in attempting to protect Jesus, inadvertently becomes a tool in the hands of Satan…and yet, whose actions are always so relatable, to all of us - because, outside of the Cross, we are all prey for Satan) will eventually truly embrace this Cross…he will drink of the Lord’s cup for himself…he will go through the refining fire of testing unto humility and holiness, exactly as the Lord intends…but the Lord will keep him all the Way through this; Peter WILL come out the other side; and when he does…he will be changed forever. 

May we remember this, when in the next few verses, we read of Peter’s most notorious failure yet: His denying of Jesus three times. 

And may we give all the glory to God…and truly marvel at his power to truly and completely save…when we look forward to a future time - as recorded in the Book of Acts - when Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, will preach the first, and one of the most powerful Gospel messages in history, where 3000 souls will also repent and be saved. 


“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32


May Peter’s life be a remembrance for all of us: We will ALL, without exception, fall short of God’s perfect standard: 

But “…he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)

And: “…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)



Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 

This band of soldiers was likely a Roman cohort consisting of up to 600 men. They came accompanied also by the Jewish Temple guards. It is clear that they had come, expecting some kind of resistance: However, in Jesus Christ, they did not get what they were expecting.

On the contrary “…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter”, Jesus will give up - and lay down - his life. Isaiah 53:7  

And:

“Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,

    up to the horns of the altar! Psalm 118:27

This “sacrifice” that is right now being “bound” is Jesus.

And here is tale of 2 gardens...

It was in a garden (Eden) that the first Adam succumbed to sin and brought death. 

It was in a garden (Gethsemane) that the second Adam - Jesus Christ, resisted sin to the point of shedding blood and brought life.


They also came with lanterns and torches; as if they were expecting Jesus to be in hiding:

The idea of Jesus hiding - fearful in some dark cave - is utterly incomprehensible for us! But it does show how little they - his own people - knew him…and especially Judas!

Think back to Ch.7:4-6 - where Jesus’s brothers are attempting to goad him into going to Jerusalem:

4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 

5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 

vs.6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.

~~~

Jesus was not hiding…Jesus was not afraid: His time had simply not yet come: 

Now his time has finally come: and he is still not hiding; nor is he afraid (remember vs.4-8). See also Matthew 26:55-56.


As an interesting cross reference:
See 2Samuel 15
But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered.(Vs30)

Had David only known…what would happen on this same mountain, concerning his descendant - “the Son of David”…the Son of Promise - 1000 years later. David was betrayed almost to the point of death, by his own son; 

Jesus Christ, the “Son of David”, has been betrayed and abandoned, to the point of death, first by his comrade…then, his own people…and ultimately his entire creation.


13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 

14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (Remember Ch.12:49-51)


A priest, according to the Lord’s order in Numbers 35:25, was a lifelong calling. In these days, however, priests were not appointed by the authority of God, but under the authority of the Roman Empire. 

Annas had been High Priest from A.D. 6 to somewhere between AD 15 & 18; and had overseen four of his sons also holding the high priesthood, before himself, placing is son-in-law Caiaphas into office. This impressive lineage had led many scholars to the assumption that Annas was actually the driving force behind the priesthood…the real “power behind the throne”  - which is why Jesus was taken here first.


Peter Denies Jesus

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 

16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 

This other disciple, we understand to be John, who never refers to himself by name in his Gospel. We know that he was known to the high priest’s family, by the great detail with which he is able to describe this next section. 

How he was known to the high priest - whether through matters of business or marriage - is a mystery. Peter’s following however, is not so much of a mystery. We do not hear anything more of the other disciples, after their all abandoning Jesus and fleeing the scene. Peter, however, (never one to “leave well enough alone”) will not stay away for long.

Whether it is guilt, disbelief over what has happened or he is looking for an opportunity to redeem himself before his Lord, Peter is still following Jesus. And the more he follows…the harder he tries… the more he will tragically fall short of the Lord he serves. It is this way for all of us. We must all - like Peter - come to terms with this: With every breath we take…every moment of our lives…we all need the Lord!


17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 

This is obviously a blatant lie - the first of three.

18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

Why does John include this detail? We will see later…

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 

20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.


All through this Gospel we have seen this: Jesus boldly and without ceremony, proclaiming who he is to the authorities…every time, squaring up his words - his teachings - to the Scripture. Ironically and tragically, it is for this exact reason, that Jesus is about to be killed, at the hands of his own people. Jesus is Light - and has done nothing in darkness: They all heard what he said - and have hated what they heard.


21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 

Now Jesus reverts to their own Jewish law - by which all charges against a person must be established by witnesses (see Deuteronomy 19:15) and takes his stand firmly upon it.

“Ask those who have heard me…”

Jesus knows perfectly well, that at least some of those who stand right there, in the crowd, among his accusers, were also among the crowd of “those who heard him”throughout his ministry. Jesus is very cleverly, putting the onus back on them

…which is likely the reason for this following and spontaneous reaction:

22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 

Here is a natural response, when someone through their innocence and blamelessness, exposes another person’s wicked and conniving intentions. It is likely that this one who struck him, was among those “sent by the Jews”, who heard his teachings - Jesus’s words now exposing him and causing this violent reaction. (Eg. Ch.7:14-52)


23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 

24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.


Peter Denies Jesus Again

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 

Here is the second denial - the second blatant lie. 

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 

27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. (See Ch.13:38)

Can we not all in some way, relate to this? Peter was already afraid: This fear has now been amplified, by one who witnessed his reckless earlier actions with a sword in the garden. Peter has been backed into a corner, which is made abundantly clear in the Gospel of Mark (the story as recalled by Peter himself): 

See Mark 14:66-72

But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” (Vs.71)

One final time, Peter lies before the people and denies the Lord. This is the same Peter who in  Matthew Ch. 16, made one of the most profound declarations of faith in the entirety of the Gospels - prompting the Lord to say: “you will be called Cephas - and on this rock I will build my Church”. At first it would appear, from this turn of events, that the Lord was mistaken: But wait! The Lord does not make mistakes!…neither is he shocked or taken by surprise at ours!


Whatever else we take away from this, we must be fully aware…and awakened…to the Amazing Grace (underserved favor) and incredible mercy of the Lord! Peter will be one who receives this mercy in abundance - and will be radically transformed because of it! Peter, through his dictation to Mark (as recorded in Mark’s Gospel) will make abundantly sure, that every reader - in every corner of the world - will understand and know: His, was a great failure…but the Lord’s  mercy and Love were infinitely greater.


“Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” John Newton, former slave owner and writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”.


Jesus Before Pilate

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters.


{This was the Antonia Fortress, situated on the Northern edge of Jerusalem’s walls, as a reinforcement to its vulnerable northern flank, where Governor Pontius Pilot, on behalf of the Emperor of Rome, held court; and would have been the garrison of the cohort of soldiers who came to arrest Jesus.}


28b It was early morning. {It is now the morning of the Passover - everything is unfolding exactly according to the perfect timing of God.} 

28c They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.


{And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6-8}

Their hypocrisy is on display for all to see: They have it in their hearts, to murder an innocent man - at all times of the year - on Passover; whilst being careful not to “defile” themselves by entering the house of a gentile! The biggest twist in this entire scenario is that they are actually fulfilling the Passover: They are about to offer up the true and eternal Passover Lamb, for the sins of the world - including their own - and they do not realize it! 

29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 

30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 

This is an attempt at evasion (they are somewhat apprehensive, because they know they are guilty of condemning an innocent man). Although, according to Luke 23:2, they do eventually attempt to bring an accusation before Pilot.


{Pilot was, by all historical accounts, a cruel and ruthless man, (as hinted in Luke 13:1) with a reputation for executing people, on mass, without trial; and he had fallen out of favor with Rome because of this. He was also deeply unpopular with the Jewish population of Jerusalem, for attempting to set up some standards of Caesar within the city; and gilt plaques bearing his inscription upon the Temple walls. Even the Emperor himself, at that point felt that Pilot had gone too far - and, because of the ensuing outrage amongst the Jewish people, he was ordered to take them down. Pilot is now on shaky ground with Emperor Tiberius: So, the last thing he wants to deal with at this point, is more trouble in Jerusalem.}


This is why…31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 

32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

This “word” is John 3:14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”

This is pointing towards a Roman death: the most brutal and terrible of them all: Crucifixion.

Think back to Jesus’s words to them in Ch.7:19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 

The Teachers of God’s Law…the so called “shepherds of the people”, are, in cold blood, through hatred and jealousy, about to break God’s Law, in the most abominable way imaginable…

Would the Lord ever be able to forgive them of this? Will the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ be enough, even for them? The Book of Acts, Ch. 2:37-38; 6:7 tells us that, for those who repent, yes - the Lord was able to forgive - even them! And at least some of them, were able - through confessing their transgressions - to receive this forgiveness.




My Kingdom Is Not of This World

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 

34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”


From start to finish, this “trial” of Jesus has not been a fair one. Jesus continues to tactfully point out this fact, by again reverting to his witnesses. “If anyone else has called me by that name, let me be tried, based upon their testimony.”

 

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

Pilot is not hiding his annoyance and indifference towards the Jewish nation at this point: Pilot was cruel - he was also weak minded- and under increasing pressure from Rome to keep the peace. Why? See the note on Pilot in the previous section.


36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 


So, what is Jesus’s Kingdom? Where is it?

Luke 17:20-21: Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” 

We should realize at this point, that in Christ Jesus; the One who is elevated above all thrones, kingdoms and dominions, is to be found, the Kingdom…the Presence…of the Shekinah glory of God…In Christ is the answer to the needs of a fallen world: It’s not about size, location or any carnal substance: He who is the Alpha and the Omega; who created both time and space…He is everything we have ever - and will ever - need: because He is “I AM”…

For our part: We must let go of every worldly kingdom, to enter into His heavenly one.



37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 

Refer back to John Ch.8:31-36

It should also now be clear to the reader: Jesus, the Messiah is not an earthly king…quite the opposite: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son; and in Him, the Lord has opened a door - ONE door - so the whosoever…from anywhere…throughout the corridors of time and space, can come home to Him!


38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

Because we know now, that outside of Christ Jesus, “truth” is purely subjective; people create…and recreate…their own truths according what suits them. However, the Lord, who is Truth, does not change.

Remember Jesus’s words to Thomas I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (See Ch.14:6)

The choice is therefore ours: To believe the Word of Jesus, or to go our own ways, following our own “truths”. These are ultimately the only two ways we can go: One is the Way of Truth, leading to eternal Life; the other is the path of lies, leading to eternal Death.


After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.

39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

See Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus (see also Mark 15:11). 

The accounts from Matthew and Mark, throw some further light on who Barabbas was and how exactly he comes into the picture: 

Barabbas

From the accounts we have in three of the Gospels, Barabbas was a robber, an insurrectionist and a murderer - although, to many Jews, he would have been seen as a nothing less than a freedom fighter and a hero: He was one of a number of zealot Jews, imprisoned by the Romans because of this.

It is a strange thing that the name Barabbas can actually be translated as “son of Abba”: and even stranger that the Jews should crucify the True “Son of Abba” in favor of a false one…until we realize - that this is the nature of the fallen human race - and the very reason why Jesus Christ, the True Son of the Living God, will go to the cross. 





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