Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-14 The betrayal and arrest of Jesus. Verses 15-18 Peter denies Christ. Verses 19-27 Jesus before the high priest. Verses 28-37 Jesus before Pilate. Verses 38-40 Jesus sentenced to die. 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. Now, John 18 continues from John 16 and verse 1 reads.
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, Jesus’s favorite place which is outside of Jerusalem. John skips the whole last supper and brings us to Jesus being taken.
John 18:2] And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
Whenever Jesus was in Jerusalem, he never stayed the night and would come to this place. Judas knew this place as well.
John 18:3] Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
It was not the Roman army, but officers from the temple. They came with pitchforks and staves.
John 18:4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
Let’s go back to John 13 and verse 1 reads.
John 13:1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
[2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
[3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
Jesus is all knowing. Back to John 18 and verse 5 reads.
John 18:5] 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.
Let’s go to Psalms 9 and verse 3 reads.
Psa.9:3] When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
Reminds me of, all will bow, at his second advent. They were standing before the Lord God Almighty. Back to John 18 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.
We just read this in the last chapter, let’s go to John 17 and verse 12 reads.
John 17:12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Jesus spoke directly with these Kenites in John 6 and verse 36 reads.
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.
We learn only here in John that the servant’s name was Malchus. But that Peter had a sword, shows us the twelve were armed, and Peter was pretty good with his.
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 it is written. Let’s go back to Psalms 9 and verse 13 reads.
Psa.9:13] Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
Back to John 18 and verse 12 reads.
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.
Let’s look at Annas, G452 means; humble. 1. high priest of the Jews, elevated to the priesthood by Quirinius the governor of Syria c. 6 or 7 A.D., but afterwards deposed by Valerius Gratus, the procurator of Judaea, who put in his place, first Ismael, son of Phabi, and shortly after Eleazar, son of Annas. From the latter, the office passed to Simon; from Simon c. 18 A.D. to Caiaphas; but Annas even after he had been put out of office, continued to have great influence. Remember the high priests at this time were not appointed by God, but by the Romans.
John 18:14] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Let’s go to John 11 and verse 49 reads.
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;
He did not speak these words of himself, but that the LORD had put them 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 disciple could have been either Joseph of Arimathea (Jesus’s uncle) or Nicodemus. Both were members of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees, and this was how Peter got into the palace, but could go no further than the fire to keep warm.
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 who are his disciples, they wanted names. But Jesus would not tell them. Of his doctrine, they had already heard his doctrine, it was Truth, for he taught in their synagogues.
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.
These would not be any of the accusations. They’re searching. Remember they sent many to spy out Jesus and found nothing they could accuse him of.
John 18:21] 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?
The officer that struck Jesus broke the Hebrew law by doing so. Thinking he would make points with the high priest maybe. It is my prayer that God saves this one for me.
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 broke the law, by smiting another 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?
We see here that Malchus was related to Caiphas, and I think he would know who cut his ear off.
John 18:27] Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
Strike three. Let’s go to Luke 22 and verse 60 reads.
Luke 22:60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
[61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Jesus and Peter looked at one another. How sad and devastating for Peter. Jesus spoke and his word came to pass exactly as he said it would. Peter would have to learn this lesson the hard way, but Jesus loved him and would build his church on this man. Back to John 18 and verse 28 reads.
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.
This brings us to midnight, it is illegal in the Hebrew law to hold court at night. Bringing us to the fourteenth day of Abib, the day they kill the Passover Lamb. They could not enter into the judgement hall of the Gentiles because the Passover was at hand. Cleansing would take seven days, and they did not have the time.
John 18:29] Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
Pilate G4091 Pilatos in Greek or Pilatus in Latin, and means; armed with a spear. 1. the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified.
John 18:30] They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
They slapped Jesus for speaking the truth, but showed no respect for the governor of Judah.
John 18:31] 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 have no power to put any man to death because they are under Roman rule. Pilate has noticed they have no case against Jesus.
John 18:32] That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
The Jews would stone a person to death, but only the Romans crucify people. Let’s go to John 12 and verse 31 reads.
John 12:31] Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
[33] This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Jesus also spoke of this in Matthew 20 and verse 18 reads.
Mat.20:18] Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
[19] And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Back to John 18 and verse 33 reads.
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?
If Jesus had claimed to be King, then Pilate would have reason to kill him. There is only one king to Pilate and that would be Caesar.
John 18:34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Jesus said; you said that, I didn’t.
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.
Jesus is not king of the Jews, but King of Israel. These Jews are not of Judah, but are Kenites, of the Serpent’s seed. Jesus also states that at any time, he could have called ten thousand of his angels, but that God’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.
Jesus never called 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 realized this was religious, and he thought that religion was 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. Barabbas is a murderer. One of their own, a Kenite. Barabbas means; son of his father. They have their father (lower case) and we have our Father. (uppercase) Which one will they choose? We’ll find out in the next lesson. 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