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.”[a]
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
a. John 18:9 John 6:39
So this takes place in the garden at Gethsemane. There are quite a few happenings in these verses.
Judas, that traitor... boo hiss.... showed up in the garden. This is what the easy English site says about Judas' companions.
The Romans ruled the Jews. But they allowed the Jews to arrest people because of minor crimes. So Judas brought guards from the Temple to arrest Jesus. Probably, the Roman soldiers came with the guards to help them if they had trouble.
Jesus knew that the guards had come to arrest him. He did not try to escape. He knew that soon he would die. But still he stepped forward to meet the guards. This showed that it was his choice to die. It seemed that he had no control over the situation. But, in fact, he was controlling events. These events were in God’s plan to save people from their sins.
Once again... Jesus was not surprised. He knew Judas was paving the way for Him to go to the Cross. It was all in the plan. Judas was never a Believer... Jesus always knew that Judas was just a pew warmer... but Judas was a pew warmer with a purpose. None of the disciples who Believed would have turned Him in to the Temple guards. Jesus needed a non-believer to perform that nasty chore.
I have highlighted, colored, and upscaled the text in Verse 6 to make sure everyone sees it. I don't know why more preachers don't use this... it's down right cool. Jesus asked them who they were looking for.... [like He didn't know... right?].... and when they said "Jesus of Nazareth" He flat out told them "I am He".... they fell down trying to back up.....
I think the angry human caught up with Jesus. First of all... the words "I Am".... are used all through the Bible as God's personal name. So.... when Jesus used God's name.... I'm sure it came out with such force it created an energy blast that knocked the guards off their feet. It also demonstrated, for me at least, that Jesus surrendered Himself to the guards because just His voice, obviously, could have destroyed them.
Jesus also told the guards to let the disciples go. [Easy English site]
Jesus died so that we can be free from the results of our sins. His words remind us about this. He took the punishment for our sins on our behalf. The Gospel reminds us about the words of prophecy that he had spoken earlier
Then Peter [Simon Peter] decided he was going to be a big shot and "defend" the Son of God. He just about ruined everything. If Jesus let Peter "defend" Him by cutting off the ear of an innocent guard, who was only doing his job, it would affect the Mission. Jesus had to give Himself up freely.... not because He couldn't defeat a few guards. Jesus had to willingly go with them..... it's part of the Mission.John doesn't tell us... but Dr. Luke does.
Luke 22:51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Just didn't want to leave old Malchus without an ear.... when I knew Jesus healed the guy. Anyway... back to the verses at hand.Jesus told Peter... and all those who were there.... "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” In everyday language.... "Relax... it's part of the plan".
This entry is from Bible-studys.org.
Annas held the High Priesthood office from 6-15 A.D. when Valerius Gratus, Pilate’s predecessor, removed him from office. Despite this, Annas continued to wield influence over the office, most likely because he was still regarded as the true High Priest and because no fewer than 5 of his sons, and his son in law Caiaphas, held the office at one time or another.
Two trials occurred: one Jewish and one Roman. The Jewish phase began with the informal examination by Annas, probably giving time for the members of the Sanhedrin to hurriedly gather together.
Passover was on the way.... they would not be able to do anything "legally".... because the courts could not hold trials during Passover or the Sabbath. So they took Jesus to the home of Annas.... He wasn't even the High Priest.... His son-in-law, Caiaphas, was the High Priest. They just needed a place to put Him until the Sanhedrin could be brought together. And one last comment.
Really, it was the priests, scribes, and Pharisees who were accusing Jesus. This was not civil laws that Jesus was being charged of breaking.
Jesus was guilty of making the Pharisees and Sadducees jealous. Jesus was guilty of giving sight to a man who had been blind from birth [on the Sabbath]. Jesus was guilty of telling a man who had been laying down for 38 years... to get up and pick up his mat [on the Sabbath]. Jesus was guilty of bringing a dead man [four days stinky in the tomb] back to life.... in front of people.... so everyone could see it happen!The Pharisees and the Sadducees were angry because Jesus was pulling huge crowds when Rome was breathing down their necks over crowd control. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were angry because Jesus had the gall to run off the stock the venders gathered at the Temple to sell for sacrifice. Jesus had the gall to turn the tables over and mix all the coins the money changers valued so much... so that the venders were arguing over every shiny idol. Didn't Jesus realize the venders were more important than the average Joe?
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were angry because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God... the Messiah... and that could just not be so. They were the big headed boobs of the Temple. If God was going to send the Messiah.... He would have sent them an engraved announcement.... They ruled the Temple. They wrote and enforced the rules, regulation, policies and procedures. No one was going to be "Messiah" without their permission. It was just too inconvenient... Passover was on the way.....
All the humans wanted to make their boss happy. Jesus wanted to make His Father happy. Jesus was on a Mission.... and the Mission was really just getting started. Every human there was a witness.... unwitting.... but a witness. They probably just figured it was just the Pharisees and Sadducees taking care of a menace who was drawing too much attention... and breaking too many rules, regulations, policies and procedures. They had no idea they would be part of a plot that would draw the attention of Christians for thousands of years to come.
No one was murdered that night. No one was "permanently" injured that night. Jesus healed that ear right away. The soldiers were quite able to get up, dust themselves off and complete the Mission.
Jesus wanted to be arrested. It was part of the plan.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted Jesus to be arrested. It was part of the plan.
The two plans were coming together.... the Mission was proceeding as planned....
This arrest was always part of the plan.
