The Sovereign Sufferer

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John 18:1–27 BSB

1 After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. 2 Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. 8 “I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” 10 Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” 12 Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 They 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 Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people. 15 Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered. 18 Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” 27 Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

PRAY

Introduction:

Broken world because of sin

Evil people often seem to be doing well, winning

Those with worldly wealth, power and influence are often very wicked and godless men doing very evil things

And in our own lives at times things seem out of control, not how they should be

Our health isn’t what it should be

We can’t seem to gain victory over sin

We struggle to make ends meet

We might even feel like the whole world is against us

In this passage, it kind of seems like that’s the case for Jesus. The whole world is against him. One of his chosen apostles betrays him, another one denies him. The religious leaders who should have been the first to accept him were the most hostile in rejecting him. Even the Romans played a part in mistreating Jesus here. Everyone seemed to be against him.

The Darkness seemed to be winning.

But in the darkness, the Light shines. The Light shines even brighter because of the darkness.

And although everyone and everything seemed to be against him, all was not lost.

In fact, everything is going according to plan. Through the wicked actions of men, God is accomplishing His good purposes.

Commentary on the passage:

Verse 1

After Jesus had spoken these words… John sets the stage for us in v. 1 of the timing of events here. These things are happening right after Jesus’s high priestly prayer from chapter 17, and in a way it’s a fulfillment of Jesus’s prayer.

He went out with His disciples … whether they’re leaving the upper room at this point or just continuing on their walk is not clear. At the end of ch. 14, Jesus had commanded them “Rise, let’s be going”, so it’s possible they were actually already on their way to the garden for the chapters 15-17 of Jesus’s teaching and prayer.

across the Kidron Valley … Your Bible might say brook Kidron; this place was dry most of the year, and only a brook during the rainy season. It was a very steep ravine or valley; This place is significant in the OT. David crossed the Kidron Valley when fleeing from his son Absalom; later the Kidron Valley served as a place of judgment, a place where things were taken to be burned.

where they entered a garden… It’s interesting John doesn’t mention the name of the garden. Since he’s writing the last Gospel, he assumes you know by now which garden he’s talking about. The Garden of Gethsemane. The language here implies that this garden was walled, a protected area, perhaps lent specially to Jesus and his disciples by a friend or another disciple.

Verse 2

Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place … John has already introduced Judas as the one who would later betray Jesus; but now he’s in the very act of betraying his Master. Judas knew exactly where to find Jesus - in the garden. And Jesus knew that Judas would be looking for him there. That’s why Jesus went there.

because Jesus had often met there with His disciples… this was a place he had gone many times to retreat with his disciples and spend time with them away from the crowds, perhaps for prayer or for teaching them.

Verse 3

So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees… Judas was the one leading the way for the soldiers (Roman soldiers) and officers (temple police) sent by the chief priests and Pharisees (Sanhedrin).

They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons… They came with lights because it was night, it was dark. And they came with weapons - probably not so much to capture Jesus with, but to keep crowds from rioting. How many people were there? The Greek word translated “commander” in v. 12 was used of an officer that commanded up to 1000 men, usually at least several hundred. Now, they may not have all been there, but there were probably several dozen or even in the hundreds of soldiers there to arrest Jesus. This was probably not a small crowd. Why so many? Two reasons: 1) to avoid riots from the crowds, since Jesus was such a popular teacher; 2) maybe they had heard something of the power of Jesus and thought he might not be so easy to take in.

Verse 4

Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him… John tells us that Jesus knew everything that was going on; this didn’t catch him by surprise.

stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”… Jesus moves toward them (not away); he takes the initiative to ask whom they are looking for (even though he already knows).

Verse 5

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. … Their simple answer to Jesus’s question is this.

Jesus said, “I am He.” … we’ll come back to this, but Jesus isn’t just identifying himself here as the one they’re looking for. The Greek here is ἐγώ εἰμι, “I AM” (a very important phrase for Jesus here in John and relating to the personal name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus)

And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them… John reminds us once again of Judas’s presence with these men.

Verse 6

When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground… If you had any doubt about the significance of Jesus’s words in John 18:5, the reaction of these soldiers should convince you. With two simple words in Greek, these armed men stumble and fall backwards to the ground. They are in the presence of the I AM, and though they are not willingly submitting themselves to him, his power is overwhelming.

Verse 7

So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered… Jesus repeats the question and receives the same answer here in v. 7.

Verse 8

“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied… Jesus repeats his answer - “I told you, I AM”

“So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”… Then Jesus pleads for the safety of his other disciples. Jesus willingly goes, but he makes sure his disciples are safe.

Verse 9

This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”… Even as he’s being unjustly arrested, he’s caring for his disciples, and in this he’s keeping the promise that he had made earlier in his ministry (John 6:39; John 10:28) and he’s fulfilling the words he just spoke in John 17:12

John 6:39 BSB

39 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 10:28 BSB

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

John 17:12 BSB

12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

Jesus took care of his disciples both on a spiritual and physical level. In this, he was preserving them to be his apostles, to carry the gospel to the world and fulfill the great commission.

Verse 10

Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus… The details in this story confirm for us that it was an eyewitness who wrote this Gospel. John records for us the name of the servant and specifies that it was his right ear. Peter drew his sword, which was probably more like a dagger, and he was probably aiming to kill this man but only got an ear. Luke tells us that Jesus reached out and touched the man and healed his ear instantly.

Verse 11

“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. Jesus tells Peter to put his weapon away, because the path to glory goes through suffering. Peter is certainly courageous here, standing up for the Lord he loves. But he has misunderstood the Messiah’s mission, and once again he’s getting in the way. Just as Jesus told him earlier, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23), now once again Jesus has to tell Peter to get out of the way.

“Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”… with this statement, we see Jesus’s determination to go through with the Father’s plan of redemption, to go to the cross and secure our salvation. Though the other Gospels record his prayer, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39), clearly it is not the Father’s will to let the cup of his divine judgment against sin pass, and Jesus willingly takes the cup and drinks it to the dregs, suffering the wrath of God in our place.

Verse 12

Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him… This mixed group of Jews and Roman soldiers succeeded in their mission, arrested Jesus, and tied him up and took him away.

Verse 13

They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year… According to Jewish laws, Annas was supposed to be high priest for life; but he was deposed by a Roman leader, and five of his sons as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas were appointed by the Romans to serve as high priest. So as far as the Jews were concerned, Annas was still the high priest, because that’s how the law of Moses specified things, but according to Roman law, Caiaphas was the high priest at this time.

Verse 14

Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people… John reminds us of the prophetic statement from Caiaphas in ch. 11, after Jesus raised Lazarus.

John 11:47–53 BSB

47 Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

Verse 15

Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus… Even though his disciples forsook him and fled, at least two of them followed him at a distance to find out what was happening. Peter was one of them, and the other was simply “another disciple.” Though we can’t say conclusively, this most likely refers to the same disciple called “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, and it is the Apostle John.

Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest… What is really interesting is that John had some connection to the high priest, so that he was allowed in the high priest’s courtyard. This courtyard was shared by both Annas and Caiaphas, and this means that the trial took place at their houses.

Verse 16

But Peter stood outside at the door… Peter did not share the same connection with the high priest’s family, so he was left outside the gate.

Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in… but John spoke up for him and Peter was allowed inside the courtyard because he was John’s friend. So keep in mind in the following verses, John is likely standing right next to Peter or at least near enough that he can hear what Peter was about to say.

Verse 17

At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?”… As he enters the courtyard, the servant girl asks Peter if he is also among Jesus’s disciples, knowing that John was a disciple of Jesus, and guessing that Peter might be too since he’s John’s friend.

“I am not,” he answered… Despite the fact that John was there, and despite his earlier bravery, Peter now denies being a follower of Jesus.

Verse 18

Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself… This eyewitness detail tells us that this trial took place at night, because it was cold and a fire was needed to keep warm.

Verse 19

Meanwhile, the high priest … The high priest here is probably Annas, who according to the Jews was high priest, although Caiaphas was appointed high priest by the Romans.

questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching… Jesus is questioned about 2 things: his disciples and his teaching; he apparently ignores the first issue, again seeking to protect his disciples; regarding his teaching he speaks in v. 20:

Verse 20

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.... Jesus was not a dangerous revolutionary. The things he taught in public were the things he taught privately, though he gave his disciples more details as they were able to bear them. But his message was no secret.

Verse 21

Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”… Rather than directing them to his disciples to report his message, Jesus says in effect, ask anyone. They all heard my message, so bring in anyone from off the street that has heard me speak.

Verse 22

When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”… Unlike Paul in Acts 23, Jesus wasn’t in any way being disrespectful toward the high priest or saying anything that was wrong.

Verse 23

Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”… Of course they couldn’t say what was wrong because there wasn’t anything wrong. Jesus had spoken the truth. He had stood up for what was right.

Verse 24

Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest… This could have been the house next door or some other house within the same area, sharing the same courtyard where Peter was.

Verse 25

Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”… John now returns to the scene with Peter. Once again Peter is asked if he’s a follower of Jesus like John, and once again he denies it, probably in the hearing of John.

Verse 26

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”… John reports an interesting detail in this verse. He says that this third questioning of Peter was by a man who was a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off and Jesus had healed. Again this is an eyewitness detail.

Verse 27

Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed… For a third time, just as Jesus had predicted, Peter failed to stand up for his Master. He refused to speak up and say the truth, and denied him the third time. And just then, as Jesus predicted, the rooster crowed.

Unlike the other Gospels, John doesn’t record more details for us regarding Peter’s response to this failure, but he does record Jesus’s restoration of Peter in ch. 21; but we’ll come back to this later because there’s an important truth here we need to see.

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Four Ways That Darkness Seems to Be Winning

Judas Betrays His Master (v. 2-3, 5)

Judas was one of the 12 apostles Jesus had chosen to be with him during his ministry. Jesus had taught him, served him, and spent significant time together with him, yet he rejected Jesus and sold himself to evil, and in his greed He betrayed the one who had been a friend to him for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave. Mistreatment from enemies is bad, but it is expected. But being betrayed by a friend cuts deeply.

Officers and Soldiers Arrest Jesus (v. 3, 12-13)

Some of the temple police mentioned here may have been the very same ones who heard Jesus speak in John 7 and remarked, “No one ever spoke like this man.” At that time they were unable to arrest him because his hour had not yet come. But now the hour is here.

They arrested Jesus, tied him up, and led him away to his fake trial.

Peter Denies His Friend (v. 15-18, 25-27)

Perhaps the deepest shame and pain that Jesus felt in this portion of Scripture was the denial of Peter. Peter was the one Jesus chose to lead his apostles, he was often their spokesman, and he was one of the inner circle of 3 that Jesus gave special attention to (Peter, James, and John). He was one of Jesus’s most trusted disciples, but on this night he betrayed that trust.

He was willing to stand up for Jesus in the garden, to fight and potentially give his life for Jesus. But now he’s a coward, unwilling to admit to a young girl that he knows Jesus. Like many Christians today, Peter wanted the glory of following Jesus without the suffering that accompanies it.

And as John reveals to us in chapter 20, none of the disciples really understood yet why Jesus had to die and rise again. So Peter is confused, sad and probably feels kind of hopeless because of what’s happening.

Religious Leaders Unjustly Condemn Their Messiah (v. 13-14, 19-24)

Sadly, the religious leaders of Jesus’s day, who should have been the first to welcome him, are the ones who plan the arrest and go through with a fake trial to get rid of this nuisance. Jesus is saying things they don’t like, he’s exposing their sin, and people are following him instead of them. So it’s time for Jesus to go. They bring in false witnesses and conduct the trial in an illegal way, and thus they condemn their Messiah to death.

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In all these things the Darkness seems to have the upper hand. To anyone watching, these evil people appear to be in control, and they themselves certainly thought so. Satan himself was working hard in all these things to get rid of Jesus, humiliate him, and thwart God’s plan of salvation.

Everything seems lost, hopeless. One of Jesus’s disciples betrayed him, another denied him. Jews and Romans who are normally enemies are working together to get rid of Jesus, and it seems that they are succeeding in their evil plans.

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Do you ever feel like evil has the upper hand in your life? Whether your own sin and failure or mistreatment from other people? When we look at things from a human perspective, it can sometimes seem hopeless, like everything is lost, and everything is meaningless.

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But all is not lost.

John 1:5 BSB

5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The darkness was trying to overcome, to extinguish, to put out the Light of the world.

In this passage, it might seem like darkness is winning, that darkness is in control.

But I ask you, Who is really in control here?

It’s not the darkness. It’s the Light.

Five Ways Jesus Demonstrates That He’s in Control

Jesus Moves Toward Suffering (v. 1, 4, 12)

Jesus went precisely to the place where he knew Judas would be looking for him. If he had wanted to hide, he could have. He did not seek to escape suffering; he moved toward it, in effect making it happen. Jesus is in control.

Jesus stepped out of the enclosed garden, again moving toward suffering. He could have escaped as at other times, but this was his hour, the time for which he came. And he moved toward suffering. Jesus is in control.

Jesus willingly submits to being arrested, again demonstrating that He is in control.

Jesus Knows All That Will Happen (v. 4)

Jesus’s perfect knowledge of the future events that would happen reminds us that He is God, the One who knows all things, and He knows all things because He planned all things and is carrying out His plan. Jesus is in control.

Jesus’s Power Knocks Down the Soldiers (v. 5-6)

Perhaps one of the most visible ways Jesus demonstrates his sovereignty here is with these words, “I AM.” Identifying himself as the self-existent God who revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3, Jesus speaks these powerful words that make his enemies fall backwards in response. This demonstrates the power of Jesus’s words, which back in John 7 kept them from arresting him. Although he still have the same power now, Jesus allows himself to be arrested, because Jesus is God, and He is in control.

Jesus Protects His Apostles (v. 8-9)

Jesus keeps his promise to protect his apostles, and by guarding them not only spiritually but also physically, he demonstrates that He is in control.

Jesus Commits Himself to Obey the Father’s Will (v. 11)

Out of his eternal love for the Father, Jesus willingly submits himself to drink the cup of God’s wrath, to take on himself all of our sin, to deal with it once and for all, and so accomplish the Father’s eternal plan of redemption. Jesus here does what is necessary to go through with that plan. Though that plan involves the wicked actions of evil men, at no time is it out of control. God accomplishes his good purposes even through the evil actions and intentions of men.

He has not lost control. In fact, everything is going according to plan - God’s plan. Jesus is in control.

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Remember that for your own life, when you feel like things are out of control, that darkness is winning.

Look again to the Light, and remember that the Light is shining in the darkness. And if you’re a believer, he’s shining through you.

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Before we close, let’s return to Peter’s denial.

I want us to think about 2 things:

How did Peter’s denial affect John?

John was probably standing right there when Peter denied Jesus these 3 times. What must he have thought? How must he have felt?

One of his closest friends was denying the Lord and Master whom John loved, refusing to speak up for him or acknowledge him. This must have hurt John deeply.

One of my closest friends from High School and college who studied missions with me later walked away from God, and I remember the sorrow and pain I felt. He was someone I cared about, looked up to and admired, and now he was denying Jesus. This hurt me deeply and made me question the sincerity of my own faith and commitment to Christ. If this friend who I had considered to be so spiritual and godly had abandoned Christ, what hope was there for me?

I have to wonder if that’s how John felt too. He probably looked up to Peter. Peter was the leader of the apostles. He had been bold in speaking up for Jesus. But now he’s weak and cowardly, denying Jesus to a servant girl. I have to imagine that this deeply hurt John and perhaps made him question his own faith and commitment to Jesus.

But thankfully this wasn’t the end of the story for either of them.

How did Peter’s denial affect himself?

How did Peter feel after denying Jesus 3 times? The other Gospels tell us that he went out and wept bitterly. He felt awful about it. He knew he had failed his Lord. And what had Jesus said about denying him?

Matthew 10:33 BSB

33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Perhaps at this point, Peter felt like he was done for. There was no more hope for him as an apostle.

Even after Jesus rose from the dead, there still had to be a sense of shame and guilt and unworthiness for Peter, knowing that he had denied Jesus. It might have been hard for him to look Jesus in the eye, knowing what he had done.

On Thursday as we were driving into town, I had some music on, and these words hit me like never before:

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Sin and despair like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the Refuge, the Mighty Cross.

Chorus: Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.

There was hope for Peter, and there’s hope for you and me. It’s not in ourselves, in just doing better next time. It’s in turning to the Cross of Christ, trusting His sacrifice for us, and receiving His marvelous, infinite, matchless grace that forgives us, cleanses us, and renews us day by day as we learn to trust him more.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus restores Peter to close fellowship with him, asking three times, “Do you love me?” - once for each time Peter denied him. This time Peter affirmed his love for Jesus and his commitment to him.

The Gospel according to John 5. Peter’s Second and Third Denials of Jesus (18:25–27)

Both for John’s readers, and for the early church generally, this is not Peter’s final scene. As serious as was his disowning of the Master, so greatly also must we esteem the grace that forgave him and restored him to fellowship and service. And that means—both in John’s Gospel and in our lives—that there is hope for the rest of us.

Application:

Trust the Sovereignty of Jesus during the dark times in life.

Look to the cross for grace and forgiveness when you fail.