The last four chapters made known to us that Jesus and God the Father are one, and that the Holy Spirit is their Spirit, and that they are within us “IF” we are in them. Though the world is evil, they have a wall around us, and we are protected. This did not say we would not have tribulation, on the contrary, we would. Now, John 18 and verse 1 continues from chapter 16.
John 18:1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
This would be the garden on the mount of Olives, his favorite place. Now John skips the whole “last supper” and brings us to when Jesus is taken.
John 18:2] And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
[3] Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
[4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
[5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
[6] As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Caught off guard maybe or was it the Holy Spirit, I think the Holy Spirit knocked them on their ground. But we also read in Psalms 9:3.
Psa.9:3] When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
They were standing before The Lord God Almighty. No wonder they fell at his presence. Back to John and verse 7 reads.
John 18:7] Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
[8] Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
[9] That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Notice he spoke it. Where? We just read in the last chapter, 17:12, while praying to the Father. But also in chapter 6:36-39 he spoke directly to these Kenites.
John 6:36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
[39] And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Back to John 18 and verse 10 reads.
John 18:10] Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Here we have his name, Malchus. The only place we can find it. Note that he was a servant of the high priest. These that came for Jesus were not Roman soldiers but rather servants of the temple with sticks and pitchforks. The twelve could easily have handled them, they did have swords. And apparently Peter was pretty good at using a sword.
John 18:11] Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
This cup is the will of the Father. What is written will happen exactly as written.
John 18:12] Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
[13] And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
[14] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
This would be in John 11:49-51. Let’s read it again.
John 11:49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
[50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
[51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Did not speak of himself, but that the Lord put these words in his mouth. Back to John 18 and verse 15 reads.
John 18:15] And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
This is how Peter got into the palace. Which disciple, other than Peter was it, is not said. Two disciples we know of are Jesus’s uncle, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Both were Pharisees and disciples of Jesus, and would have access to the palace.
John 18:16] But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
[17] Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
Strike one
John 18:18] And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
[19] The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Asked about his disciples? Who were they? Jesus will not say. But of his doctrine they knew, for it was truth.
John 18:20] Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
[21] Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
[22] And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Please LORD let me have this one. Talking about the man that struck my Lord. This high priest was not appointed by God, but by a Roman general.
John 18:23] Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
The man just broke the law. and assaulted another man without reason.
John 18:24] Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
[25] And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
Strike two.
John 18:26] One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
[27] Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
Strike three. Notice this time it was the man that Peter cut the ear off of, and that he was related to the high priest. That would make a good witness against him. In another place after Peter denies him the third time Jesus looks right at Peter and locked eyes for a moment. Peter would be devastated by this and would repent. And Jesus would build his house(church) on him.
John 18:28] Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
Now it is midnight. The fourteenth. The day they kill the Passover Lamb. They could not have a trial at night, that’s illegal. But to go into a gentile court would make them unclean for the Passover. Remember the day begins at sundown. After the “last supper” would have begun a new day. Being the fourteenth of Abib.
John 18:29] Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
[30] They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
[31] Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
They want him dead. But the Jews can’t put any man to death, because they are under Roman rule. And by Roman law he hasn’t done anything wrong. But Pilate notices that the Jews have no case against him.
John 18:32] That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
“That the Son of man must be lifted up”. The Jews would stone a person, but the Romans only crucify on a cross.
John 18:33] Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
[34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
This was obviously said outside by the Jews. Now for this reason and this reason only would Pilate put him to death. Because there is only one king, and that king is Ceasar. Any man that would call himself king would be put to death. But Jesus never said this. Also, Jesus is not only King of the Jews, but of all Israel. But still he never said this.
John 18:35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
[36] Jesus 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.
They were not Jews, but Kenites. And Jesus could have called down 10,000 angels from heaven if he wanted to. But the LORD’s will be done.
John 18:37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Still not calling himself a king.
John 18:38] Pilate 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 in him no fault at all.
Pilate thought that all religion was just superstition.
John 18:39] But 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?
[40] Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
Pilate is still trying to release Jesus because he knows that this is a set up. He knows that Jesus is innocent of all charges that they have brought against him. Now he tries to get them to release him one more time and it won’t work. Now, Barabbas is a murderer. One of their own, a Kenite. Barabbas means “son of his father”. They have Barabbas and we have Jesus, the Son of God. Which one will they choose? We’ll find out tomorrow. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible