Juan 18

1 Traicionan y arrestan a Jesús
Después de decir esas cosas, Jesús cruzó el valle de Cedrón con sus discípulos y entró en un huerto de olivos.

2 Judas, el traidor, conocía ese lugar, porque Jesús solía reunirse allí con sus discípulos.

3 Los principales sacerdotes y los fariseos le habían dado a Judas un grupo de soldados romanos y guardias del templo para que lo acompañaran. Llegaron al huerto de olivos con antorchas encendidas, linternas y armas.

4 Jesús ya sabía todo lo que le iba a suceder, así que salió al encuentro de ellos.
—les preguntó.

5 —A Jesús de Nazaret
—contestaron.
—dijo Jesús.
(Judas, el que lo traicionó, estaba con ellos).

6 Cuando Jesús dijo
¡todos retrocedieron y cayeron al suelo!

7 Una vez más les preguntó:
Y nuevamente ellos contestaron:
—A Jesús de Nazaret.

8 —dijo Jesús—,

9 Lo hizo para que se cumplieran sus propias palabras:

10 Entonces Simón Pedro sacó una espada y le cortó la oreja derecha a Malco, un esclavo del sumo sacerdote.

11 Pero Jesús le dijo a Pedro:

12 Jesús en la casa del sumo sacerdote
Así que los soldados, el oficial que los comandaba y los guardias del templo arrestaron a Jesús y lo ataron.

13 Primero lo llevaron ante Anás, el suegro de Caifás, quien era sumo sacerdote en ese momento.

14 Caifás era el que les había dicho a los otros líderes judíos: «Es mejor que muera un solo hombre por el pueblo».

15 Primera negación de Pedro
Simón Pedro y otro discípulo siguieron a Jesús. Ese otro discípulo conocía al sumo sacerdote, así que le permitieron entrar con Jesús al patio del sumo sacerdote.

16 Pedro tuvo que quedarse afuera, junto a la puerta. Entonces el discípulo que conocía al sumo sacerdote habló con la mujer que cuidaba la puerta, y ella dejó entrar a Pedro.

17 La mujer le preguntó a Pedro:
—¿No eres tú también uno de los discípulos de ese hombre?
—No —le contestó Pedro—, no lo soy.

18 Como hacía frío, los sirvientes de la casa y los guardias habían hecho una fogata con carbón. Estaban allí de pie, junto al fuego, calentándose, y Pedro estaba con ellos, también calentándose.

19 El sumo sacerdote interroga a Jesús
Adentro, el sumo sacerdote comenzó a interrogar a Jesús acerca de sus seguidores y de lo que les había estado enseñando.

20 Jesús contestó:

21 ¿Por qué me haces a mí esa pregunta? Pregúntales a los que me oyeron, ellos saben lo que dije».

22 Entonces uno de los guardias del templo que estaba cerca le dio una bofetada a Jesús.
—¿Es esa la forma de responder al sumo sacerdote? —preguntó.

23 Jesús contestó:

24 Entonces Anás ató a Jesús y lo envió a Caifás, el sumo sacerdote.

25 Segunda y tercera negación de Pedro
Mientras tanto, como Simón Pedro seguía de pie junto a la fogata calentándose, volvieron a preguntarle:
—¿No eres tú también uno de sus discípulos?
—No lo soy —negó Pedro.

26 Pero uno de los esclavos del sumo sacerdote, pariente del hombre al que Pedro le había cortado la oreja, preguntó: «¿No te vi en el huerto de olivos con Jesús?».

27 Una vez más, Pedro lo negó, y enseguida cantó un gallo.

28 Juicio de Jesús ante Pilato
El juicio de Jesús ante Caifás terminó cerca del amanecer. De allí lo llevaron a la residencia oficial del gobernador romano.
Sus acusadores no entraron porque, de haberlo hecho, se habrían contaminado y no hubieran podido celebrar la Pascua.

29 Por eso Pilato, el gobernador, salió adonde estaban ellos y les preguntó:
—¿Qué cargos tienen contra este hombre?

30 —¡No te lo habríamos entregado si no fuera un criminal! —replicaron.

31 —Entonces llévenselo y júzguenlo de acuerdo con la ley de ustedes —les dijo Pilato.
—Solo los romanos tienen derecho a ejecutar a una persona —respondieron los líderes judíos.

32 (Con eso se cumplió la predicción de Jesús acerca de la forma en que iba a morir).

33 Entonces Pilato volvió a entrar en su residencia y pidió que le trajeran a Jesús.
—¿Eres tú el rey de los judíos? —le preguntó.

34 Jesús contestó:

35 —¿Acaso yo soy judío? —replicó Pilato—. Tu propio pueblo y sus principales sacerdotes te trajeron a mí para que yo te juzgue. ¿Por qué? ¿Qué has hecho?

36 Jesús contestó:

37 Pilato le dijo:
—¿Entonces eres un rey?
—contestó Jesús—.

38 —¿Qué es la verdad? —preguntó Pilato.
Entonces salió de nuevo adonde estaba el pueblo y dijo:
—Este hombre no es culpable de ningún delito,

39 pero ustedes tienen la costumbre de pedirme cada año que ponga en libertad a un preso durante la Pascua. ¿Quieren que deje en libertad a ese “rey de los judíos”?

40 Pero ellos contestaron a gritos:
—¡No!, a ese hombre, no. ¡Queremos a Barrabás! (Barrabás era un insurgente).

Juan 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

Christ taken in the garden. (1-12) Christ before Annas and Caiaphas. (13-27) Christ before Pilate. (28-40)

Verses 1-12 Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye? When the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch. 6:15 , but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck them down he could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It must have been the effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set us an example of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us; sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighter afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will, or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty; thus the Son makes us free.

Verses 13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.

Verses 28-32 It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned; crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord, what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.

Verses 33-40 Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices laid to him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual, its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used, force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those that are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he said, What is truth? When we search the Scriptures, and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to preserve in their search after truth; or not humility enough to receive it. By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it appears, that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it unfolds the design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins. Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.