seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 18:1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
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I skipped over Jesus' prayer. It was way too deep for me to explain. Instead... please follow the link to John 17 and then follow the link to John 17 commentary, and take some time to read through it.
Here's the link to the commentary I read for John 18.
Over the Brook Kidron: When Jesus went from the city of Jerusalem, and crossed the Brook Kidron. This small stream was the drainage from the temple, and would be reddish from the blood of thousands of Passover lambs. This would have been a vivid reminder to Jesus of His soon sacrifice.
Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops: Judas came to the garden with team of soldiers to seize and arrest Jesus. He led both a detachment of troops (a large number of Roman soldiers), and officers from the temple security force. Why they came with such force is not directly answered; the religious leaders or the Romans must have expected or feared some kind of battle or conflict.
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him: Judas hoped to catch Jesus by surprise, but this was impossible. Jesus’ entire life was prepared for this hour, and He was ready for it.
Whom are you seeking: Taking the lead, Jesus said this for at least two reasons. He wanted any potential violence to be directed to Him and not to His disciples, so He wanted to identify Himself. Jesus also wanted Judas and the detachment of troops to announce their evil intention.
Jesus of Nazareth: This was the common name that Jesus was known by. Jesus wasn’t normally identified by His role as a rabbi or a carpenter, and not by His apparent parentage (Jesus ben Joseph). Jesus chose and received the title that identified Him with Nazareth.
Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground: When Jesus declared His divine identity (in the words I am), Judas and soldiers all fell back. There was such a display of divine presence, majesty, and power in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him.
He asked them again: Jesus didn’t want the soldiers to panic and injure the disciples. Jesus called their attention back to Him, and asked them again a question they were probably hesitant to answer.
I have told you that I am: Jesus said the same words as before (I am, ego eimi) yet Judas and the troops did not fall to the ground as before. This shows that these were not magic words, but previously they all fell at the conscious display of God’s power.
Simon Peter, having a sword: The disciples apparently sometimes carried swords, and Luke 22:38 indicates that they had at least two on this occasion. Having a sword made sense when there were robbers and violent men to consider.
Drew it and struck the high priest’s servant: Each of the other Gospel accounts mention that one of the disciples did this, but John is the only Gospel writer to say that it was Simon Peter who made this attack. Peter wanted to fulfill his previous promise to defend Jesus at all cost: Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You! (Matthew 26:35).
And cut off his right ear: It has been noted (but not proved) that this meant Peter, holding the sword in his right hand, must have attacked the high priest’s servant from behind, because it would be near impossible to cut off his right ear if he was facing the servant Malchus. It is entirely possible that Peter deliberately chose a non-solider, and attacked him from behind. This was not a shining display of courage.
Put your sword into the sheath: Jesus did not praise Peter for what he did; He told him to stop. This was to protect Peter as much as to protect those who came to arrest Jesus. Most of all, it was that Jesus could drink the cup the Father gave to Jesus, the measure of suffering and judgment He would endure.
The captain and officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him: This describes two different groups. The captain was the Roman commander and the officers of the Jews were the temple security force.
And bound Him: They regarded Jesus dangerous enough to send many soldiers after Him, so in custody they bound Jesus, treating Him as if He were a threat. Yet Jesus remained bound only because He surrendered to His Father’s will; hands that healed the sick and raised the dead could certainly break bonds.
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Yes, I skipped another chapter. I'm reading from the Book of Daniel, through the Gospel written by John, and John's letters, and the Book of Revelation. Jesus prayed for His Mission. He prayed for the Disciples and He prayed for those who would come to Believe after His crucifixion. I really encourage you to go back and read the chapter and the commentary that goes with it. It'll take a while.
Now on to the arrest. Y'all have seen the results of my study over the years. This is the first time, reading through the Gospels, I found out that the Apostle Thomas was really called Didymus because he looked just like Jesus. If Thomas was there, Judas Iscariot had to point out the correct man. It would have been embarrassing to send Security Troops from the Temple and the Roman Soldiers to pick up the wrong guy!
Jesus could have handled the arresting soldiers and security. As He spoke to them, the power of His voice knocked everyone off their feet! He didn't have to lift a finger. It must have been quite a sight, watching all those Soldiers scrambling to their feet and adjusting their armor and picking up their swords.
I wonder, did Jesus smile at their obvious embarrassment when He asked them "who are you looking for?"? I guess a preacher or two might have mentioned the obvious levity!
I noticed that there is no mention of Judas' kiss in these verses. John doesn't mention it.
I'm surprised the nay-sayers haven't mentioned the fact that Jesus had a human twin and John doesn't mention the kiss which would identify the "correct" man so the man they crucified may not have been Jesus at all, it could have been Thomas!!!! But having Judas there to verify when Jesus said He was indeed Jesus of Nazareth would negate that argument.... right?
They bound Jesus. It was kind of Jesus to let them tie Him up. After all, they were only doing their job. He already showed them He didn't have to comply. It was nice of Him to let them tie Him up.
I noticed there is no mention of Jesus healing Malchus after Peter cut his ear off with a sword.
I guess nay-sayers could claim that since Jesus was bound, He could not have done that. Of course, Jesus was known for healing people in a different town! People would ask for prayer and Jesus would say "go home" and before they could get home, word got to them that the person was going to be alright.
So, Jesus didn't need and any hocus-pocus hand gestures. Jesus didn't even have to use a used ear! He could just have the body regenerate an ear! Jesus is Jesus.
John does mention that Peter didn't have the nerve to fight the man face to face. The right ear is mentioned, which any TV detective would surmise that Peter struck the man from behind. What a Wuus!!
Before they got to the Garden, Jesus told the disciples this part of His Mission was almost over.
Caiaphas, the one who told the Temple leaders that it was better for Jesus to die than for everyone else to suffer, would meet Jesus soon.
These verses are about....
The Arrest!
