NBBC SS John 18 (Pt. 1)

Introduction: We’re going to be looking at John 18 over this week and next. It is my hope that we get through v. 18 this morning and pickup with v. 19 through the end of the chapter next week.

John 18:1-11 “1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.

We’re immediately confronted with considering the content of what words Jesus had spoken.

This pertains to the previous chapter, John 17.

What we read in the previous chapter that Joel helpfully reviewed for us last week is a prayer.

Interestingly, what is it that mostly occupies Jesus’ prayer? - His people, specifically that they would be with Him.

This place, Kidron, is fascinating.

in 2 Sam 15, David is betrayed by Ahithophel.

What we have is a king of Israel who is betrayed by a close friend (BKC).

We’re going to see something similar occur in the passage before us.

Notice the descriptions that John offers here.

He describes the activity of Jesus and His disciples in coming to this area.

He gives us a specific place name, Kidron.

Then, we’re told that there was a garden in this area.

We can see in our mind’s eye the activity of Jesus and His disciples as they travel to a garden at night.

Do you almost feel a chill run down your spine in this discussion?

What is the purpose of something like this?

The Holy Spirit and John want us to join Jesus and the disciples on this journey to experience these things firsthand through the account preserved for us.

In doing so, we’re going to be prompted to compare the responses to Jesus.

2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.

Notice how John and the Holy Spirit describe Judas here.

“who was betraying Him.”

This kind of language suggests Judas in the act of betraying Jesus.

Hence, we have another indicator of John and the Holy Spirit seeking to bring us into this narrative.

We can almost see Judas with the group in question.

How is it that Jesus knew this place?

He knew it because he would visit it with Jesus.

You see, Judas has insider information.

What word comes to mind when an insider to a group betrays the leader of that group?

A traitor

Judas’ betrayal is of no little significance as he used his intimate knowledge of Jesus’ behaviors against Jesus for Judas’ own profit.

The tragedy is that, if Judas had such intimate knowledge of Jesus’ behaviors, he surely knew Jesus’ teachings!

What a shame that Judas chose not to follow Jesus’ teachings.

What this demonstrates for us is the need for heart change.

One can outwardly engage with Christianity but still remain unchanged on the inside.

In other words, we need the new birth that Jesus offers.

3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

I find this fascinating the description that follows.

A Roman cohort is generally around 600 soldiers.

We’ve also seen these officers from the chief priests and Pharisees before in John 7:32, 45-6.

Upon reading this, we’re impressed with the number of individuals sent to get Jesus.

We’re prompted to ask, “why so many?”

Did they really expect resistance from Jesus and any followers?

At the least, we know that this demonstrates the seriousness with which the Pharisees were approaching this circumstance.

This seriousness if further brought out in the three items they brought with them.

Lanterns were just a different type of lamp that was specifically used outdoors (LN).

Torches were a bundle of sticks bound together to make a light source (LN).

But then we have a reference to the weapons.

We’re not told what specific weapons they brought.

Instead, it’s just a general reference.

Yet, the initial items referenced are benign enough.

When John reference the weapons that they brought, we understand that they have come prepared to injure or kill any resistance (keep this in mind when we begin to look at Peter’s denial momentarily).

Why do John and the Holy Spirit take these pains to give us this detail?

As we read this, can’t you almost see the dots of light roam through the night?

As the shadowy figures become more visible, isn’t it almost as if that same light then catches the glimmer of their weapons?

I believe that the Holy Spirit and John do this to bring us into the narrative to experience this ourselves.

The effect of such detail, then, strikes us in its truthfulness since John, who was there, gives such a vivid description.

4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

This language that is used to describe Jesus “know all things”, have we seen it before?

We sure have, John 13.

In that chapter, we see Jesus’ choice to demonstrate love towards His disciples, including Judas, by washing their feet - serving them in the face of His impending sacrifice.

According to John 13, what is it that Jesus knew?

His hour had come where He would depart to the Father.

In other words, Jesus was reflecting on His sacrifice for sins and His subsequent resurrection and ascension!

What we have then, in John 13 that informs our expectations here is a connection between what Jesus knows and what He does.

Relatedly, to ask a Pastor Chad-styled question, if Jesus knows all things related to the intentions of this group, Who really is in charge?

This group that Judas has aligned with?

Or Jesus?

For sure, it’s Jesus.

This prompts us to inquire, “what will Jesus do?”

He confronts the group that has arrived for His capture.

Notice Jesus’ question to them.

There was apparently something very obvious about their mannerisms that Jesus was able to ask them this question about who it was that they sought.

We all know what that looks like to possess that sort of focus in seeking something.

What I found rather interesting is the use of this word seek in its form that Jesus uses it.

We find this particular form employed 10 times in John’s Gospel.

It’s often used in a context where Jesus has asked others about what they’re seeking.

Oftentimes, the individuals that Jesus has questioned in this vein are seeking Jesus.

However, they’re not necessarily seeking Jesus because they have believed in Him as the Christ, the Son of God.

Hence, John’s Gospel through the Holy Spirit presents a variety of individuals seeking Jesus for diverse reasons.

Since we’re brought into this narrative as we’re following along with this large group that is seeking Jesus, we’re prompted to ask ourselves a question.

Why do we seek Jesus?

Do we seek Jesus because we have believed in His true identity?

5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.

Notice how Jesus responds to the answer of the group to His initial question.

“I am He.”

Does this sound familiar?

It should.

It’s an “I AM” statement.

Literally translated “I, I AM.”

I believe that this factors significantly into the response that we will see momentarily.

Notice the reference to Judas here.

His betrayal is complete as he is characterized as “standing with them.”

In other words, he is standing with Jesus’ captors against the same.

Also, this is the last reference to Judas in John’s Gospel.

What I find fascinating is that there are a cluster of references to Judas just bunched together in this passage but only briefly.

Hence, we read about Judas again and again and then … no more Judas.

I believe that this prompts us as readers following a narrative to think to ourselves, “what happened to Judas after this scene?”

Of course, if we were to look elsewhere, particularly in Luke’s Gospel and Acts, we would learn of Judas’ fate: he committed suicide.

However, if we just had John’s Gospel, we would not specifically know these details of Judas’ death.

What I’m suggesting is that we consider John’s presentation of Judas but taking it on its own terms to determine how we should respond.

That is, have we been transformed by the One that we claim to follow or, have we looked at the intimate knowledge to use to our advantage, even when it means hurting others around us?

6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

This is a fascinating response given the context.

There are soldiers and men of authority in this group.

These individuals are armed.

That is, they are prepared for action.

Yet, what does their response here communicate?

Submission to Jesus’ authority.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests that these individuals were struck by the majesty of Jesus’ words.

We have seen before how the officers of the Pharisees and Chief Priests were affected by Jesus’ Words in John 7:45-6.

In that context, the officers were directed to capture Jesus then.

However, they refrained from doing so replying to their authority that they had never heard anyone teach like Jesus.

7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”

Jesus responds with another “I AM” statement.

Notice also that Jesus responds with an interesting statement.

He encourages His captors to let His disciples go.

Consider why Jesus did this.

We’re told the purpose in v. 9.

It concerns fulfillment.

In John 6:38-9, Jesus indicated that He would lose none of those that the Father had given to Him.

Importantly, Jesus’ captors were not told this in the moment.

Instead, this is commentary by the Holy Spirit and John meant to help readers connect the dots.

What does this demonstrate?

Things are going according to plan, Someone other than these human authorities is in charge, the Lord Jesus

Notice, it’s to fulfill the Word Jesus spoke (“he” v. 9) - Jesus is in charge

What does this suggest for us?

Even when things seem chaotic, the Lord is in control.

Therefore, we trust Him through those circumstances.

He was in control the entire time that He was being betrayed, arrested, tried, and condemned to death.

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

When we read that Peter cut off Malchus’ ear, is there anything about Peter’s aim that strikes us? (pun intended)

It takes a certain amount of skill to cut off someone’s ear.

Or, Peter was aiming for Malchus’ head.

Peter was likely seeking to make a deadly strike.

The bravado that Peter demonstrates here is contrasted with his later denial.

What was the difference between both circumstances?

We’ll consider that momentarily.

Have you ever considered why the Holy Spirit gave us this slave’s name?

John knows him, this information, at the time of writing could be verified.

You could’ve asked Malchus about this incident, at the time.

This piece of information further roots John’s description in fact, though woven in a narrative fashion.

Further, John leaves us hanging as to what happened to Malchus.

If all we had was John’s Gospel, we would think that Malchus left maimed by Peter.

In fact, only Luke’s Gospel records that Jesus healed Malchus’ ear.

Malchus is going to surface again in this passage in conjunction with Peter in an interesting way.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

John employs the term “cup” 5 times, once here in his Gospel and 4 times in Revelation.

Something that I found fascinating is that cup in Revelation refers to God’s wrath that He makes others to partake of based on their unrighteousness and rebellion against Him (14:10; 16:9).

The other context in Revelation that this term is employed concerns those who pile on their sins through their intentional participation (17:4; 18:6).

What this suggests for us, then, is the cup that Jesus was to partake of was cup of God’s wrath against sin.

In contrast to those that intentionally sinned (17:4; 18:6), Jesus innocently and willingly took this cup of God’s wrath against sin.

Notice also, Jesus recognizes and seeks to help Peter recognize Who is in control.

Jesus acknowledges that this is the cup God has made for Jesus to drink.

This truth does not prompt Jesus to shrink back from what is before Him.

If anything, it gives Him greater confidence since He uses it as the basis for prompting Peter to put away his sword.

John 18:12-18 “12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him,

The term bound is an interesting one.

It’s used twice in this passage to refer to Jesus’ arrest.

It’s used once in John 11 and another time in John 19.

Would you like to take a guess as to the context for each of these passages?

Lazarus, being recently raised from the dead, emerged from the tomb bound in his grave clothes.

Following Jesus’ death, His body is bound in grave clothes.

Ironically, this action of binding Jesus in His arrest will ultimately lead to His body being bound in grave clothes.

What this suggests for us is there’s no mistaking that Jesus is “bound” for death.

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

Annas was initially installed as High Priest in AD 6 by Quirinius, governor of Syria (BKC).

However, it was eventually taken from him and given to his sons, even his son-in-law, Caiaphas since the Roman authorities did not like the concentration of Jewish authority in the High Priest (BKC).

Yet, the High Priesthood was a position that one was appointed to for their whole life, according to Jewish law.

Annas still had great authority as evidenced through Jesus being brought to him to be questioned.

14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

This prophecy was recorded for us in John 11:50.

Interestingly, was Caiphas interested in the salvation of his people from sin?

No.

Instead, he made this statement to allay concerns for Roman domination and destruction.

However, the Lord had greater plans than Caiphas could have intended.

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

We’re given some interesting information about this “another disciple”.

He was known to the High Priest.

This term “known” is employed in the Greek translation of the OT to refer to a close friend (Ps 55:14).

Therefore, this “another disciple” was more than just an acquaintance with the High Priest.

Therefore, he was the means of Peter gaining entry into the complex where the High Priest lived.

John 20 employs this phrase “another disciple” that is also identified as the disciple that Jesus loved.

Therefore, this is none other than the Apostle John.

This has prompted others to inquire how is it that John could have made this acquaintance if he was just a fisherman from Galilee.

Two suggestions have been made.

Zebedee, John’s father, was a man of rank that would have introduced he and his family to important people (NET).

John’s family was a priestly family as suggested by the early Church historian Eusebius.

However, neither of these observations can be confirmed.

We must go with what the Holy Spirit preserved for us that John was known to the High Priest.

Initially, what are we told about Peter?

He had to wait outside.

However, how was it that Peter was able to get in?

He knew a guy.

Specifically, the Apostle John.

17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Wow, did you catch this?

We can imagine the scene, John has just acquired entry for Peter.

In a flash, Peter is questioned about his acquaintance with Jesus … and, Peter denies being one of Jesus’ disciple.

Have you ever been in a circumstance where something happened so fast that the response you gave you were like, “I can’t believe that I said that?”

This happened so fast, do you think that Peter had time to think about Jesus’ words that He uttered poss. hours ago?

Probably not

This is how fast things can happen, even sinning against the Lord

The employment of a slave-girl does more than just provide additional information.

It gives us a clearer view of the events before us.

We can see this slave-girl at the door, holding it open enough.

We can hear this female voice speak these fateful words to Peter.

That is, we’re invited into Peter’s experience that will culminate in his three-times over denial of Jesus.

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

We can almost envision the crowd that has gathered here.

We can nearly feel the warmth of the fire as a chill may run down our spines when we read about the cold.

Is there anything about this group that the Holy Spirit refers to that sounds familiar?

Yes.

These are likely either the same individuals or a composite of the same individuals who came to the garden to arrest Jesus.

Who also is with them?

Peter.

Peter is standing shoulder to shoulder with the same individuals that arrested Jesus.

We’re here with Peter following his first denial of Jesus, as Jesus had told Peter.

I don’t know about you but I was prompted to think to myself, “What was Peter thinking about?”

Was he thinking about the cold?

Was he thinking about the events that just occurred in which he saw his Teacher, the one he had sacrificed everything for to follow, arrested?

Was he thinking at all about his initial denial?

If the Holy Spirit has invited us into Peter’s experience through this writing, what would we be thinking?

Next week, we’ll consider the rest of the chapter, looking at Jesus’ trial and Peter’s denial along with various characters in between.

Conclusion: This morning, we’ve been confronted with the stark realities that one can outwardly follow Jesus without genuine heart change, many have sought Jesus for various reasons, and consider what is it that we do when we sin.