John 18

1 When Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples over the strand of Cedron, where was a yard, or a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.

2 And Judas, that betrayed him, knew the place, for oft Jesus came thither with his disciples.

3 Therefore when Judas had taken a company of knights, and ministers of the bishops and of the Pharisees, he came thither with lanterns, and brands, and arms.

4 And so Jesus witting all things that were to come on him, went forth, and said to them, Whom seek ye?

5 They answered to him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them, I am. And Judas that betrayed him, stood with them.

6 And when he said to them, I am, they went aback, and fell down on the earth.

7 And again he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8 He answered to them, I said to you, that I am; therefore if ye seek me, suffer ye these to go away.

9 That the word which he said should be fulfilled, For I lost not any of them, which thou hast given to me.

10 Therefore Simon Peter had a sword, and drew it out [Therefore Simon Peter having a sword, drew it out], and smote the servant of the bishop, and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus.

11 Therefore Jesus said to Peter, Put thou thy sword into thy sheath [Send thou the sword into the sheath]; wilt thou not, that I drink the cup, that my Father gave to me?

12 Therefore the company of knights, and the tribune, and the ministers of the Jews, took Jesus, and bound him,

13 and led him first to Annas [and led him to Annas first]; for he was [the] father of Caiaphas' wife, that was bishop of that year.

14 And it was Caiaphas, that gave counsel to the Jews, that it speedeth, that one man die for the people.

15 But Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple; and that disciple was known to the bishop. And he entered [in] with Jesus, into the hall of the bishop;

16 but Peter stood at the door withoutforth. Therefore that other disciple, that was known to the bishop, went out, and said to the woman that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17 And the damsel, keeper of the door, said to Peter, Whether thou art also of this man's disciples? He said, I am not.

18 And the servants and [the] ministers stood at the coals, for it was cold, and they warmed them(selves); and Peter was with them, standing and warming him(self).

19 And the bishop asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.

20 Jesus answered to him, I have spoken openly to the world; I taught evermore in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews came together, and in huddles I spake nothing [+I taught ever in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews came together, and in private I spake nothing].

21 What askest thou me? ask them that heard me, what I have spoken to them; lo! they know, what things I have said.

22 When he had said these things, one of the ministers standing nigh, gave a buffet to Jesus, and said [saying], Answerest thou so to the bishop?

23 Jesus answered to him, If I have spoken evil, bear thou witnessing of evil; but if I said well, why smitest thou me?

24 And Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the bishop.

25 And Simon Peter stood, and warmed him(self); and they said to him [therefore they said to him], Whether also thou art his disciple? He denied, and said, I am not.

26 One of the bishop's servants, cousin of him, whose ear Peter cut off, said, Saw I thee not in the yard with him [said, Whether I saw not thee in the garden with him]?

27 And Peter again denied, and at once [and anon] the cock crew.

28 Then they led Jesus to Caiaphas (from Caiaphas), into the moot hall; and it was early, and they entered not into the moot hall, that they should not be defouled, but that they should eat pask.

29 Therefore Pilate went out withoutforth to them, and said, What accusing bring ye against this man?

30 They answered, and said to him, If this were not a misdoer, we had not betaken him to thee.

31 Then Pilate saith to them, Take ye him, and deem ye him, after your law. And the Jews said to him [Therefore they said to him], It is not leaveful to us to slay any man;

32 that the word of Jesus should be fulfilled, which he said, signifying by what death he should die.

33 Therefore again Pilate entered into the moot hall, and called Jesus, and said to him, Art thou king of Jews?

34 Jesus answered, and said to him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or others have said to thee of me [Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or others said to thee of me]?

35 Pilate answered, Whether I am a Jew? Thy folk and the bishops betook thee to me; what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my ministers would strive, that I should not be taken to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not here [now forsooth my kingdom is not of hence].

37 And so Pilate said to him, Then art thou a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest, that I am a king. To this thing I am born, and to this I came into the world, to bear witnessing to truth [and to this I came into the world, that I bear witnessing to truth]. Each [man] that is of truth, heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith to him, What is truth? And when he had said this thing, again he went out to the Jews, and said to them, I find no cause in him [I find no cause against him].

39 But it is a custom to you, that I deliver one to you in pask; therefore will ye that I deliver to you the king of Jews? [Forsooth it is a custom to you, that I let go, or deliver, one to you in pask; therefore will ye that I dismiss to you the king of Jews?]

40 All they cried again, and said [saying], Not this, but Barabbas. And Barabbas was a thief.

John 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.