The Arrest of Jesus - John 18: 1-40

Intro: A Place of Prayer…

John 18:1–9 CSB

1 After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the words he had said: “I have not lost one of those you have given me.”

Point #1: Knowing What Was to Come Jesus Goes to a Place of Comfort!

1. Jesus takes His disciples across the Kidron Valley to a place called the Garden of Gethsemane…

a. This was a place that Jesus would come to pray…

b. This was a place that was known to Jesus’ disciples…

i. Thus, when Judas desired to betray Jesus he knew that there was a good chance that Jesus would be there…and he was…

2. The soldiers that come are the Temple guard, accompanying them were officials from the Chief Priests and the Pharisees…

a. Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to him so he approached the garrison and asked, “Who are you seeking?”

i. They answer, “Jesus of Nazareth…”

ii. He responds, “I am he…”

1. Those that had come to apprehend Jesus step back and fall to the ground…

b. Again, Jesus asks them, “Who are you seeking?”

i. Again they answer, “Jesus of Nazareth…”

ii. This time Jesus answers, “I told you I am he, so if you’re looking for me, let these go.

1. Matthew tells us this was to fulfill the prophecy, “I have not lost one of those you have given me.”

Continuing in John 18:10

John 18:10–14 CSB

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?” 12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they led him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

Point #2: Simeon Swings into Action and It Does Not Go Well!

1. Simeon Peter draws his sword and swings at one of the High Priest’s servants and cut off his ear…

a. Jesus rebukes Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”

2. At this point Jesus is arrested and tied up and He is taken to Annas the former High Priest…

a. Annas was Caiaphas’ father-in-law who was the current high priest…

i. Caiaphas was the one who said prophetically that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

Continuing in John 18:15

John 18:15–18 CSB

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” “I am not,” he said. 18 Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.

Point #3: The Apostle John Was Known to the High Priest, So He Was Let Into the Proceedings, Peter Was Not Known So He was Not Let In…

I. The Apostle John Uses His Connections and Is Now an Eyewitness to the Proceedings!

a. Peter is asked by a young girl if he is one of Jesus’ disciples…

i. Peter lies and says he is not!

b. Some near by are warming themselves by a fire and Peter then joins them…

John 18:19–24 CSB

19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21 Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” 23 “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Point #4: The Abuse of Jesus Begins.

1. Jesus is brought to his first illegal trail…

a. In Jewish Law it was not permitted convene a trial at night…

2. Jesus is brought before Annas…

a. The former high priest questions Jesus about his disciples and his teachings…

i. Jesus replies, “I have spoken openly to the world, I haven’t spoken anything in secret. Question those who heard what I have told them. Look, they know what I said.”

ii. At this point Jesus is slapped, and told “Is this the way you answer the High Priest?”

iii. Jesus responds, “If I have spoken wrongly give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?”

3. Annas then sends Jesus bound to Caiaphas.

Summary of John 18:25-27

At this point Peter, I still warming himself by the fire.

*Peter is asked again if he is one of Jesus’ disciples…again Peter denies that he is…

*Then another of the high priest’s servants, who was a cousin to the man that Peter cut his ear off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”

-Peter denies Jesus a third time and the rooster crows!

John 18:28–38 CSB

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.” 31 Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.” “It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. 32 They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die. 33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.

Point #5: Jesus is Illegally Tried Before Caiaphas, Then Sent to Pilate!

1. Initially Jesus stands before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin in another illegal trial…

a. They decide to send Jesus to Pilate for trial and hopefully execution…

i. A fuller account of this part of the proceedings is found in Matthew 26 and Luke 22…

2. Since it was Passover and the Jews wanted to remain ceremonially clean so they could participate in the celebration, Pilate comes out to them…

a. Pilate asks, “What charge do you bring against this man?”

i. They don’t say the charge but say would we bring him if he wasn’t a criminal?

b. Pilate tells them to take him and judge him themselves…

i. They respond that they do not have the right to put anyone to death…

1. This was a fulfillment of prophecy…telling about the kind of death Jesus would have…

a. Jewish execution was by stoning, Roman execution was via crucifixion!

3. When Pilate takes Jesus to question him he asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

a. Jesus asks if Pilate is asking on his own or if others were telling him…

i. Pilate says, “I am not a Jew, your own nation and chief priests have handed you over, what have you done?

ii. Jesus responds that His Kingdom is not of this world…

1. If it was, his servants would fight for him…

b. Pilate responds, “You are a king though…”

i. Jesus responds saying, “You say that I’m a king, I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

a. Pilate famously responds, “What is truth?!”

John 18:38–40 CSB

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” 40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

Point #6: Pilate Pronounces That He Finds No Reason to Charge Jesus, He Tries Everything He Can to Let Him Off the Hook…

1. He tells them He finds no wrong in Jesus…

2. He offers to release a prisoner to them, The crowd requests Barabas…

a. Pilate asks, “What do you want me to do with the king of the Jews?