John 18
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.
"Cedron" is the same brook "Kidron" in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 15:23) and it's the same brook King David crossed over when they fled from Absalom. The garden is the garden of Gethsemane at the foot hills of the Mount of Olives.
2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
The Sanhedrin, Pharisees and Judas have already worked out a deal and went over the details of taking Christ captive. Christ Jesus and His disciples frequented this same place many times. It's where Christ taught them, dealing with the end of this flesh age.
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.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
Christ shows He was ready for them, knew they were coming and ready to be the last sacrifice for us all.
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
The sacred name of God "I Am" caused them to fall backward. The word "he" isn't in The Manuscripts and was added by the translators. Christ put them in the dust!
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:
Christ identified Himself as God again and commands them to let His disciples go.
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Those who truly seek Christ are saved after they accept Him. Those who are lost, are the ones that reject Him. "lost" = ἀπόλλυμι apóllymi, ap-ol'-loo-mee; from G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:—destroy, die, lose, mar, perish. to destroy, to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin.
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.
One of Peters accusers will be one of those that witnessed him cut the ear off. He was a relative of this Malchus. Peter acted righteously because he thought he was protecting Christ. We already know Christ healed this person. We read of it in Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
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?
Now wasn't the time for battle. Yes, they carried weapons because they went into some bad areas and it was necessary. The blood of Christ is the meaning of the cup. Peter was reacting to the event in the way anyone would to protect a loved one, but Christ was there to be taken by these men for the purpose of God's plan.
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
Remember the high priest is a position given from the Roman governor for control over its population. This is a family of evil workers. Annas was chosen for the legal aspect of finding a way to convict Christ in such a way to have Him put to death.
14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
This was in reference to what was said in John 11:50-53 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. This statement is true, but their intent is nothing but evil. God's purpose is being done and as much as they hate God, they're following His will. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; He thinks he is doing it for the people that have been "fooled" by Christ, but this is being done because God wills it. 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. This high priest is afraid word will get out about Christ and His power and it would cause a gathering of those "lost tribes" back to Israel and the people would become one nation. I'm sure if that happened, he feels war with the Romans would ensue and they would lose the control they feel they have over the people. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
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.
Peter and the other disciple are invited into the inner part of the court. This other disciple is probably Nicodemus.
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.
Peters first deny.
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.
Peter walks out of the court proceedings and to the fire to warm himself next to these servants and officers.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine.
Caiaphas wants to know what Christ and His disciples believe and are teaching.
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.
Christ hid nothing from the world, the synagogue or the temple. He spoke openly to everyone, hiding nothing. Everything He did was in the open, for everyone.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
Christ directs them to ask those who He had taught.
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?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
If He spoke something evil, he could understand, but He didn't say anything evil, so why hit Him?
24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
Back to the high priest Caiaphas and Christ is still tied up.
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.
We are back to Peter standing by the fire with those servants and officers that had taken Christ from the garden. This is his second denial.
26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
This was in reference to what we read in verse 10 of this Chapter. This man is a kinsman of Malchus and witnessed both the cutting off of the ear and the healing. This guy only wants to see the cutting, the same way people take what they want of The Word and ignore what they don't want of it.
27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
This would be the third time of Peter's denial and fulfills John 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
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.
Caiaphas leading all these evil kenites, pulling Christ along to the Roman Governments judgment hall. They're taking Christ in to be judged by Pilate, but won't enter in because of their legalism in being defiled because of the passover celebration. Yet here we have the kenites about to deliver up the passover Lamb = Christ Jesus Yahshua.
29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
What's the charge?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
They're showing their true colors here. They've already judged Christ and sentenced Him to death. They're telling Pilate they wouldn't have brought Him if they thought He wasn't 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:
The thing here is by Jewish law, Christ hasn't done anything worthy of death, but if they can get Pilate to use the Roman law, then they believe he can sentence Christ to death. These kenites are hoping Pilate will do their dirty work.
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
The kenites said what they said because it was the plan of God all along. It's the first prophecy in The Word of God. Genesis 3:15 And I [God] will put enmity [division] between thee [satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy seed [sperma, the Kenites] and her Seed [Jesus Christ]; It [Christ] shall bruise thy [satan's] head, and thou [satan] shall bruise His [Christ's] heel. The crucifixion was the bruising of Christ heel, but by that satan's head was bruised, he's defeated. 1 Cor. 15:55-57 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Christ Jesus defeated death at the cross, Christ Jesus is The Only Way to victory. 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Caesar being the only king to Pilate, causes a problem to him. He wants to know Who Christ considers Himself to be.
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
In other words, Christ asks Pilate; "Did you come up with that yourself or did someone tell you I said I was king of the Jews." The best way to handle things is always to make the other person think. Christ shows us how to get things done.
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Pilate is saying that he isn't of that religion and how is he to know what Christ claims to be?
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.
Christ is letting Pilate know His kingdom hasn't come yet, but without Pilate knowing it would be. Christ Jesus Kingdom is in heaven right know, but comes at that 7th trump, Christ true return. When you see Him coming, you know His Kingdom comes with Him. Revelation 19:16 And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
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.
Christ lets him know, He's only there to give The Truth.
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.
I can see Pilate saying, "What's the truth anymore" and walk out.
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
"Barabbas" = Βαραββᾶς Barabbâs, bar-ab-bas'; of Chaldee origin (H1347 and H5); son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite:—Barabbas. Notice Barabbas name means "son of the father" and he is set free, where Christ Jesus Yahshua is "The Son of The Father" and is crucified. They were give the choice of which "Son of The Father" they wanted to live and which one they wanted to die.