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John 18

1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.

1When 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.

Commentary · verse 1

After the conclusion of the first New Testament Church service, Jesus and His Disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane.

2Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.

2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Commentary · verse 2

Judas knew of this place because Jesus went there with His Disciples frequently.

3Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Commentary · verse 3

Judas showed up with a band of men supplied by the chief priests and the Pharisees. It seemed these men were prepared for a fight.

4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

Commentary · verse 4

Jesus knew they were coming but still asked, "Whom seek ye?" Jesus was getting the men to state their will.

5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

6When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Commentary · verses 5-6

When Jesus said "I AM," they went backward and fell to the ground.

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

8Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.

10Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant’s name was Malchus.

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

8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10Then 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.

Commentary · verses 7-10

Peter cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. The Gospel of John was the only Gospel that actually named Peter as the Disciple who cut off the servant's ear.

11Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Commentary · verse 11

Jesus was essentially asking Peter if Jesus should not do God's Will. Peter was trying to hinder Christ from being taken when Christ had told His Disciples repeatedly that this event was coming. Peter was responding to a spiritual issue in a physical manner.

12So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,

12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

Commentary · verse 12

Jesus was taken and bound without a fight...from Jesus.

13and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

14Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;

13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15And 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.

Commentary · verses 13-15

Peter and "another disciple" (John) followed Jesus. Remember, John was aware of a private conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee (Nicodemus). John also was aware that Caiaphas had prophesied to the other religious leaders that one man should die for the people.

16but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

16But 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.

17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Peter's first denial.

18Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

19The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.

18And 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.

19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Commentary · verses 18-19

The high priest asked Jesus of His Disciples and His Doctrine.

20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.

21Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.

20Jesus 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.

21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Commentary · verses 20-21

Jesus had always spoken His Doctrine openly so He should not have needed to make these religious leaders aware of anything.

22And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

22And 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?

23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Commentary · verses 22-24

Jesus was humble. Jesus was open to considering He was wrong. Jesus invited them to show Him any evil He had done. Jesus was Just. He asked why did He get punished if He did not do evil. They could not respond to Jesus' question, so they sent Him away.

25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not.

25And 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.

Commentary · verse 25

Peter's second denial.

26One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27Peter therefore denied again: and straightway the cock crew.

26One 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?

27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Commentary · verses 26-27

Peter's third denial was connected to Peter's actions in the garden, and immediately the cock crew.

28They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Prætorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Prætorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

28Then 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.

Commentary · verse 28

Jesus was led to Pilate without the religious leaders because the Passover began at the next sunset. The religious leaders would be unclean if they went into the Roman building and would have missed the Passover while going through the process of being made clean again.

29Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man?

29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Commentary · verse 29

Pilate wanted to know what Jesus was being accused of.

30They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evil-doer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.

30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Commentary · verse 30

This did not answer Pilate's question. Pilate asked what was the accusation. Were the religious leaders even prepared in what they would say to Pilate?

31Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

31Then 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:

Commentary · verse 31

If the religious leaders had an accusation that broke the Roman Law, Pilate would have judged accordingly. The religious leaders quickly jumped to putting a man to death. Clearly their objective was to have Jesus killed.

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

32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Commentary · verse 32

Pilate said for them to judge Jesus with the Jewish Law since they had no accusation. However, they knew it was not lawful for them to put a man to death. The religious leaders knew the only way they could have Jesus killed was to get it done by Roman Law, which would be crucifixion. The Jews would not have killed Jesus with crucifixion, and that was the manner of death that was prophesied for the Messiah.

33Pilate therefore entered again into the Prætorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?

35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Commentary · verses 33-35

Pilate wanted to know what Jesus did since His own people and priests brought Him to Pilate. This must have been a confusing event for Pilate.

36Jesus 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.

36Jesus 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.

Commentary · verse 36

Doctrine: Jesus' Kingdom was not then and is not now. The kingdom of heaven was then and is now. It is a spiritual kingdom that includes both good and bad. It is a spiritual kingdom where believers do not fight with unbelievers: they love. Jesus' Kingdom is the same as the Kingdom of God, which is a future eternal kingdom that only includes good. That Kingdom will fight at the end of the Tribulation at the battle of Armageddon.

37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

37Pilate 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.

Commentary · verse 37

Doctrine: Jesus was born (of the flesh) for this cause: to bear witness of the truth. Everyone who hears (understands) Jesus' voice is of the truth, which was the message Jesus spoke to His Disciples during the Last Supper.

38Pilate 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 no crime in him.

38Pilate 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.

Commentary · verse 38

Pilate asked, "What is truth?" and did not wait for an answer. Some people attempt to use this verse to say no one knows the definition of truth. Truth is a right WHAT with a right HOW/WHY. Truth is facts that create. Pilate found no fault in Jesus.

Doctrines on this passage

39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Commentary · verses 39-40

Pilate attempted to avoid punishing Jesus by offering to release Him because of Passover. However, the people specifically asked for a robber (and murderer) named Barabbas to be released.

Commentary · verse 40

John 16-18 covered the conclusion of the Last Supper and Jesus being taken captive and presented to Pilate.

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