John 18

Betrayed

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.

The brook had the red blood of thousands of sacrificial lambs, slain for the Passover. He was to be the final Passover lamb, shedding his blood for the atonement of sins, for all time. Whosoever believes in him shall be forgiven. He goes to the garden with his disciples.

Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
Luke 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

John 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
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 night time, as they had lanterns and torches and weapons. Judas knowing that Jesus would be in the garden leads a band of men sent from the envious high priest.

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
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.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

The power of God in the name, I AM, Jesus is the I am, the son of the most high God. All evil must fall before this name. All knees shall bow also to the name of Jesus, even those religious leaders who claim to serve God and deny that Jesus is God the Son.

Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 18:7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

The time had come for Jesus to be the sacrifice for sin. He could have gotten away or sent angels to destroy the band who sought to arrest him, but it was his time. Instead he protects his disciples. Let these go their way.

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.

Peter, wishing to show his loyalty, draws his sword, missing the target, he cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.

Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

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?

Put up your sword Peter, Matthew adds to the story;

Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Mark writes that all forsook him . He probably was the young man who fled in humility.

Mark 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
Mark 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

Can God be bound? Only because he humbled himself and allowed this. Even coming as a baby he was bound in swaddling clothes.

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Annas was the controlling power.

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.

This prophecy was given earlier, by the high priest.

John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

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 was John, who tells us the details.

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.
John 18:17 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.

Peter denies the Lord as was predicted by Jesus.

Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mat 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

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.

Peter warms himself around the fire, with the servants and officers who brought Jesus to the high priest. We should not seek comfort at the enemies fire, at places of darkness. Peter wanted to be close to Jesus, but not close enough to be identified with him when persecution comes. Are we fair weather believers? Will we serve the Lord when it means persecution and maybe death?

John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
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.
John 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

This was a mock hearing, with foolish questions. They were out to convict him and would only look at ways to do this. Jesus spoke that all he did was in full view, not in secret. So his works and words were well known by all.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 18:22 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?
John 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Jesus will be judge of all, he speaks a rebuke to the servant who struck him. Bullies ruled by force, Jesus ruled by love, by truth and by power under control. He could have called fire down from heaven, but he drank of the cup he was given.

John 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:25 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.
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?

Peter was caught with those who accused the Lord. Would he identify with Jesus in the light, when this meant suffering and death? Or would he blend in with the darkness, so as to not be seen?

Mat 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

John 18:27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Luke 22:61 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.

Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

He had chosen to deny the Lord, and the cock immediately crowed. Peter had betrayed his word and the Lord. Judas had betrayed him and now Peter as well. This was his darkest time, but the light would again arise.

Mock Trial

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.

John omits the trials of Jesus before Caiaphas, the Sanhedron and Herod. John reveals the superstitious hypocrisy of the priests. They would not break one of their ceremonial laws, which they observed as blind rituals. To enter a Gentile Roman court, to have an innocent man killed. This would make them unclean to observe the passover feast. They blindly went through ceremonies and publicly rejected the Son of God, their Messiah and the meaning behind the passover service. How many claim to be moral and just, yet there hearts are far from God?

Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

This is the same hypocrisy in our nation when people claim to have Christian values, but seek to separate them from public life. We cannot be separated from deeply held values, to do so is hypocrisy.

John 18:29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
John 18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

A malefactor? An evildoer? Jesus had no sin, if he had one sin, he could not pay for our sins by dying in our place for them. The high priest himself had prophesied that he must die for his people. But often the prophet does not hear what God speaks through them, It is not from them, but from God.

John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; Note, how the priests stood behind their reputation as God's priests, while lying and making a false witness against their Messiah. This applies to us today. Do we hide behind our titles? Pastor, teacher, Christian, and do evil? We cannot hide behind titles, God looks upon the heart.

Psa 15:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
Psa 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Psa 15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Psa 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Psa 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

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:

The letter of the law without the spirit, this was an example of the flesh mind trying to do the things of God. To obey God, we must have his Spirit. Thank God for Jesus, he was being tried, whipped, spit upon, for our sins. His grace was there with them, but they were convinced of their own authority, while denying their very hope for eternal life.

2 Cor 3:6 (Jesus) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

John 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Jewish law requires death by stoning. Roman law used crucifixion for the worst offenders. This would fulfill the prophecy that Jesus would be lifted up.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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?
John 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Do you think this of me? Or, are you speaking what others have said? This may have been said so that Pilate would search his own heart. Who do you think Jesus is? This is an important question. Each man must find the truth. Earlier Simon answered correctly:

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Ask God in prayer, study the Bible and you will find out the truth. Jesus is the Lord God, Son of God, son of man. The savior of those who seek him and the way to the Father.

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?

Pilate sidesteps the question; what have you done to be so accused? The Jewish leaders were accusing Jesus of being a threat to Rome, making himself a king. They were threatened by him, and envious.

Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

John 18:36 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.

You need not worry about this king removing Rome from power, not yet. The Kingdom of Jesus is a heavenly kingdom, not of the world. It is a Spiritual kingdom where God rules by His word. God rules by Spiritual power. His kingdom will come at the end of the age. Now his kingdom is within, by the Holy Spirit.

Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

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 is the truth of God. If we say we are of the truth, we will see Jesus as Lord.

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.

What is truth? His truth was keeping his position of power. To the world, power, lust and wealth are their truth. These are their idols. God is truth, Jesus spoke God's word. Those seeking this world's praises, see only their own glory. God is glorified in his Son. Pilate returned his verdict to the Jewish accusers, I find in him no fault at all.

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?

He was looking for a way out. Surely the known robber would be hated more than Jesus, in which their was no fault.

Mat 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

John 18:40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

They were politically motivated, believing the priests and their hatred for the Lord. They chose to free Barabbas, the robber. They would get their way. Even God will allow you your choices, but you will be accountable for them. This had to be, because it was prophesied.

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,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

All seemed to be out of control, but it was all according to God's plan. Be encouraged, for God is in control. Always trust in him and you will be with him forever.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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