Gospel of John
Chapter XVIII

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

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.

Verse 1 The brook, Cedron, was in a valley close to Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives, where Jesus taught His "Sermon on the Mount!" (Check Matthew, Ch 5)
 

2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Verse 2 Ofttimes resorted thither means went there often! So, Judas knows the place!
 

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.

Verse 3 Here comes Judas to do his thing! Jesus is not confused – He knows He is not a victim! When you know that you’re not a victim either, you will also know that you can’t be trapped!

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
 

Verse 4 Jesus knows what is going to happen! He’s not taken by surprise at all! "Whom seek ye?" Are you looking for The Christ? Then let your loving thoughts show you a new world!

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Verse 5 Jesus never hides Who He is! Judas comes center stage to "play the part" of betrayer.
 

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Verse 6 Wow! What power in Jesus’ light and love! He completely "bowled" them over! Are you ready? This is the power of your light, too!

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:

Verse 8 "If you want Me – here I am! Let these men go – it’s me you want!"
 

9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Verse 9 Jesus is always fully aware of the whole story! (Look at Ch 17:6 – read it again!)
 

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.

Verse 10 Smote means struck a blow! Hotheaded Peter lets his temper get the better of him! Does this happen to you? And does it ever help? No!

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?

Verse 11 Are you always defending yourself? Jesus knows His safety lies in not defending Himself! He is completely taken care of by God His Father! He has no worries! Why do you?

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

Verse 12 Jesus gave himself up, yet the officers still display their "authority" by tying Him up!
 

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

Verse 13 Annas is the president of the Sanhedrin (Jewish supreme council). and Caiaphas, the high priest, is his son-in-law!

14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Verse 14 Remember, Caiaphas is the one who warned about an "uprising" of the people if Jesus isn’t killed! (Look at John 11:49-53 again!)

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.

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.

Verse 16 This disciple gets the doorkeeper (a damsel) to let Simon Peter in!!

 

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.




 

Verse 17 The girl asks Peter if he is one of Jesus’ disciples! "I am not." Oops – Peter gave the wrong answer! Ohhh, Peter! Remember what Jesus has given you! You are the Christ!

What is the Christ? The Christ is God’s Son as He created Him! He is the self we share, uniting us with one another, and with God as well!

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.

Verse 18 He is a disciple of Jesus! Too late! Jesus has already chosen him! Wow! Can you feel Peter’s guilt, now that he has denied Jesus to save his own hide? Do you see that to deny the Christ in anyone is to deny yourself?
 

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.
 

Verse 21 Jesus stays cool! "Ask those who have heard me!" Can you see how important it is to speak the Word of God from your own experience? You have heard, and you do know! Now will you speak the truth?

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?

Verse 22 Wow! When your belief system is threatened, do you go from suspicious to vicious? But, hey! – your belief system is what is keeping you in chains! Let it all go right now! Forgive and be free!

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

Verse 23 "Smite" means strike or hit! Jesus asks, "Do I deserve your attack?" Do you think you know enough about any situation to be judge and jury? Think about that one!

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Verse 24 Still tied and bound, Jesus is sent to Caiaphas!
 

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.

Verse 25 Peter is still afraid to admit he’s Jesus’ disciple! Remember, Jesus already told Simon Peter, "The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice!" (John 13:38)
 

Verse 26 The servant (a relative of the soldier whose ear Peter had cut off), reminds Simon Peter that he saw him in the garden with Jesus! Your lies always catch up with you, don’t they?

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

Verse 27 Oops, this is the third denial and now the rooster crows! Wow, His Savior has given him everything, and he’s just denied Him three times!!

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.

Verse 28 Here’s Jesus, the Messiah, offering true freedom! But the Jews don’t accept Him! Instead they’re imprisoned in their old customs! (The Passover is the celebration of Moses leading the Jews to freedom from bondage in Egypt.) Talk about no clue!
 

29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Verse 29 Pilate comes out and asks the officers what Jesus is accused of!
 

30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Verse 30 They say, "He’s a malefactor (a criminal)!" Even before the trial, Jesus’ accusers have condemned Jesus and found Him guilty!

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:

Verse 31 At first, Pilate refuses to judge Jesus! He wants the Jewish temple leaders to take responsibility! But they insist that Pilate sentence Him! They say, "Hey, it’s against our religion to put any man to death!" ("But we can have you do it!") Give us a break!

Verse 32 Jesus knows everything that is to happen! "And the last to be overcome will be death!" The end of death!
 

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Verse 33 Pilate tries to uncover the facts! First he goes for Jesus’ testimony! "Are you the King of the Jews?"
 

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

Verse 34 Jesus answers. "Is this your idea or someone else’s?" It’s always a good idea to go to the source! God is your Source!

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Verse 35 Pilate is Roman! He tells Jesus that it’s the Jews, Jesus’ own people, who are persecuting Him! Pilate asks, "What is it you have 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.

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.

Verse 37 Pilate says, "So, you are a king?"
Now Jesus testifies! "I am the bringer of Truth – that is my calling!"

Listen! Hear God’s call, and see a forgiven world! When you hear the truth, you do see the world differently! Your forgiveness blesses the world!

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.

Verse 38 And now Pilate asks a real question – one he doesn’t have an answer to. "What is truth?" (But he doesn’t wait for an answer!) He does not find Jesus guilty of any crime!

Verse 39 The Jewish custom was to release one prisoner during Passover! Pilate suggests that since he can find no fault in Jesus, they might choose to release Him.!