John 18:1-12
John Bible Study • Sermon • Submitted
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When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
Chapters 13-17 all took place in the upper room and perhaps a courtyard outside of it. It is quite a detailed section of scripture. Jesus says in “come let us leave” in .
John 14:31
but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.
It makes sense to me that Chapters 15-17 are conversation that took place right after the Lord’s Supper and perhaps in a courtyard outside the place of the upper room.
Notice the details that John gives us in .
They leave and go through the Kidron Valley. The NKJV has the “Brook Kidron.” Why do you think this is mentioned?
A map of Jerusalem will show this valley on the southeastern side of the city. Jesus would have crossed through this and gone up north to the northeastern side of the city to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Kidron translates as the name of a winter torrent. A torrent is a stream that would flow rapidly after a storm. It would be an overwhelming flow.
This was a dark, deep ravine that at its base falls 200 feet below the base of the outer court of the temple.
Why is this important?
The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”
It speaks of certain death in crossing the Kidron Valley.
He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the Lord to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people.
He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the Lord. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley.
2 Kings
2 Kings 23:6
Shows this area was a common cemetery.
He pulled down the altars the kings of Judah had erected on the roof near the upper room of Ahaz, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courts of the temple of the Lord. He removed them from there, smashed them to pieces and threw the rubble into the Kidron Valley.
2 Kings 23:
This speaks of the Kidron Valley as a garbage dump for the pagan altars that had been erected under the reign of Amon and removed by King Josiah.
King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down, broke it up and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
sho
This symbol of the goddess Asherah was broken and burned in the Kidron Valley.
Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles.
Exodus 34:13
The priests went into the sanctuary of the Lord to purify it. They brought out to the courtyard of the Lord’s temple everything unclean that they found in the temple of the Lord. The Levites took it and carried it out to the Kidron Valley.
2 Chronicles
Everything unclean that was found in the temple of the Lord was carried out to the Kidron Valley.
They removed the altars in Jerusalem and cleared away the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
Incense altars and altars to other gods were cleaned out and thrown out into the Kidron Valley.
This valley would remain dry for most of the year. However, it would flood and be impossible to cross when torrential rains came.
He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.
Ezekiel
Remember what Jesus said about water? He uses the pouring out of the water during the Feast in to make a great pronouncement:
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John
Why all this information for the Kidron Valley?
On His way to the crucifixion, Jesus passed through the area where idols, perverted altars, dryness and barren land existed. On His way to the cross, Jesus passed over garbage, ruins, and all the things that separated man from a Holy God in order to reconcile me to Him!
“On the other side,” says, there was an olive grove that He and His disciples entered.
Olive trees have always been a symbol of peace and victory. Throughout the Bible, olive trees represent peace, prosperity, beauty and the relationship between God and His people.
But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
Right after Jesus prays for us to be in complete unity and for us to see His glory. He leaves and walks through an area that had rubble of pagan altars, of barren land, of things that separate us from a Holy God and goes to a place where there is peace, prosperity, beauty and reveals the relationship between God and His people.
Thank you John for these details!!!
The Olive Garden was a place were Jesus frequented.
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,
Luke 21:37
Human history began in a garden. The First Adam disobeyed God and was cast out of the garden. The second Adam was Jesus.
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
Jesus was obedient and went into the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in a garden where the first Adam committed sin; but Jesus, through His obedience, brought righteousness and life to all.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
There will be another garden, the heavenly city described in .
There will be no more curse and no more death.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
There is a saying that people always go back to where their hearts are. Judas’ heart was with satan.
Judas knew the place because this was an area they frequented. It was ideal because it was away from the mobs and crowds. Jesus had sanctified Himself and prepared for His atoning death ahead. So, He goes exactly where He knew Judas would come.
There is to much to consider that Jesus went about business as usual. Is your business as usual usual enough that it shows you are ready for the Lord to take you home? In other words, are you prepared every hour?
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
A detachment of soldiers included approximately 200-600 men. The others included the temple police.
In , Judas is called one of the Twelve.
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
It is interesting to note he was famous for being in that sacred circle but had no idea what that meant. We must never take for granted the sacred circles in which we are placed.
The other gospels indicate Judas greeted Jesus with a prearranged signal, a kiss.
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Compare these verse:
The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the desert to meet Moses.” So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him.
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent.
You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
Have you ever noticed the use of lanterns and torches in this passage?
It is very interesting that these men used lanterns and torches in their attempt to find the Light of the World. It goes to show that even darkness needs light.
Begs the question, what man-made devices are we using to search for Jesus?
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
Jesus takes the initiative. He was no victim of circumstance. Jesus know this would take place.
Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”
John 6:
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.
John 12:
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
John 13:11
Jesus had warned His disciples about their part:
Ma
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
Matthew 1
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
He was not taken by surprise. He did not run from them. When He was offered a crown, He hid himself.
Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
When He was forced to a cross, He offered Himself willingly.
What do you think Jesus initiated the confrontation by going out to them?
Incidentally, the phrase “went out” indicates that Jesus was in an olive garden with a gate or with a fence or wall. Jesus willingly gives Himself up.
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
Jesus steps forward, He willingly does so.
Some manuscripts simply have His answer being, “I AM.”
This the same translation that come from:
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
Exodus 3:14
Remember what He said earlier:
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
John
This is definitely an affirmation of Deity.
We see in parentheses that Judas was there with them. The other Gospels indicate that Judas kissed Jesus.
John does not.
When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Why do you think this happened?
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
They were taken back.
They recoil at His authority.
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
There are other instances in Scripture in which the Presence of the Divine caused one to fall prostrate.
Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
It is interesting that phrase, “I am HE,” on a previous occasion, brought great comfort to His disciples.
Matthew 14:27
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Here, however, it brings terror to His enemies.
He could have struck the whole detachment down.
They are brought to their knees.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
Isaiah 45:
It is written:
“ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’ ”
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus could have disappeared when they had fallen down. But He did not. The posse still being there is an example of a hardened heart. There are some whose hearts are so hardened in sin that nothing will work on them to reduce that sin and reclaim them. Jesus is still willing to be seized. When they fell down, He offered to ask them again, “Who is it you want?”
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
Jesus shows yet great care for these disciples. He serves as their protector. Jesus was acutely aware of just what the disciples were capable of handling.
He gives us a great example of love, care and concern.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Jesus is referring to statements He has previously made:
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
This is a fulfillment that John is giving us so we can clearly see a picture that the testimony shared is true.
Jesus is providing the sacrifice and setting free those that could have been gathered up in the sacrifice also. Think about Isaac being replaced by the ram.
Paul told young Timothy this way:
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus gave them grace in proportion of their strength.
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.)
Remember that Peter stated earlier that he was ready to go fight, ready to do battle for the Lord?
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That is enough,” he replied.
There were 2 swords among them and somehow Peter got one of them. He was ready to use a sword to help Jesus institute His new Kingdom.
What do you think John is so detailed about this?
Only John names the disciple and the victim. We learn in that Jesus healed the victim.
Luke and John both mention that it was the right ear that was cut off.
John gives specific details, including naming the victim, to perhaps give validation to the narrative.
Peter’s loyalty was amazing but it missed God’s plan.
Zeal without knowledge often will lead men astray.
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Jesus had already rebuked Peter earlier that night.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
Jesus had also told Peter he was going to deny Him three times:
John
Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Jesus commands the sword to be put away. Jesus was not troubled by the coming arrest. He had already shown that He was in control.
The cup refers to the suffering and death of Jesus that He would experience under God’s wrath, not against Jesus, but against sin.
Psalm
In the hand of the Lord is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.
Awake, awake!
Rise up, O Jerusalem,
you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord
the cup of his wrath,
you who have drained to its dregs
the goblet that makes men stagger.
Isaiah 51:
This is what your Sovereign Lord says,
your God, who defends his people:
“See, I have taken out of your hand
the cup that made you stagger;
from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,
you will never drink again.
Jeremiah
This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.
You have gone the way of your sister; so I will put her cup into your hand.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“You will drink your sister’s cup,
a cup large and deep;
it will bring scorn and derision,
for it holds so much.
You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow,
the cup of ruin and desolation,
the cup of your sister Samaria.
Jesus saw this as God’s sovereign plan. Jesus challenges Peter in his thinking for He had come to do God’s will and now He must embrace it.