Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Peter Denies Jesus
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Jesus Before Pilate
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. (ESV)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen, and He could have stopped it if he had wanted. But He knew that this was the Father’s will for Him, and so although He did not want to go through with it, He submitted to His Father’s plan in the midst of the most difficult time in His life. We too go through trials in our lives, and Jesus’ example is a good one to follow (when is it not?). We may not want to be in the situation that we find ourselves in, but we need to take confidence in the fact that God is working through it to accomplish His will and for the good of all the believers. James tells us that we need to consider trials joy, because they build perseverance in our lives. Ultimately, whatever situation we find ourselves in, we need to acknowledge God’s sovereign control of it and devote ourselves to realizing and accomplishing His plan for us.
8″I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
In verses 5, 6, and 8 Jesus says, “I am he.” The implications of this are huge because by saying I AM, Jesus was using the same language that Yaweh had used in Exodus 3:14 to describe Himself. Jesus was directly identifying Himself with Yaweh, claiming to be God, which was blasphemous to the Jews. As a matter of fact, Jesus says I AM seven times in the book of John. Although only two words and seemingly subtle to those of us reading the Bible in 2008, I AM was the most controversial thing that Jesus could say to the Jews. This helps us to inderstand why the Jews wanted Jesus killed so badly, despite the fact that He was not a criminal.
23″If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
I noticed the way Jesus acted towards people out in the public. He never went out with unreasonable rage against those who pursued his life. He never used foul language or coarsely joked about anyone. For Jesus focused his whole life on serving and obeying his Father in Heaven. If you want to talk about 24/7 Christianity you can look at Jesus’ example. Even though Jesus is God and we will never reach perfection such as he as. We should still strive to live our live in imitation of Him. The way we act toward outsiders (nonchristians) should always be in love, patience, and understanding. The way Paul described it is having ever conversation seasoned with salt (the spiritual salt). I am really excited about these next weeks to come where we can be bold to our nonchristian friends and share with them the truth of an eternal salvation from God so that they can also share our hope in our real home which is Heaven.
Spencer right on, I couldn’t agree more :)
6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Whoa, that was crazy, people (like the Pharisees) who are going to arrest him and then going to kill him fell to the ground when he said that.
37″You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Jesus is the king of kings and lord of lords; Jesus has all authority of heaven and earth. He created everything, and He has controll of everything. Jesus came into the world to be an exsample to us, because he wants us to be like him even though we don’t even come close, he never sinned, he came down to die on the cross for us, so that we can have eternal life.
Spencer is totally right. We should strive to be just like Jesus in the way he acted toward nonchristians, being patient and kind and loving!
Great comment Mike! that verse stood out to me as well…
11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
At first when i read this verse i was confused….drinking the cup, what? but then i read it over again and i realized that Jesus was saying He knew this is what God has planned. He knew this is what He had to do…so instead of putting up a fight, He accepted it and trusted that God knew exactly what was going on. I need to face all trials and even daily tasks like this….i need to dive into them head first and trust God to bring me through!
And Spencer that was a greattt comment!! i fully agree…i like the fact that you pointed out Jesus never acted out in rage when people were going to take Him away and kill Him!…He was patient and wise in letting God’s plan play out. What a great example for us. Nicely said Spencer!!
36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Pilate was expecting Jesus’ response to his question in verse 33 to be an answer of what kingdom(if he was a king) on earth he controlled and ruled over. But Jesus responded by telling him that his kingdom is not of this world, meaning not run or controled by worldly power or force but his kingdom is spiritual and all the people in his kingdom know the truth are are of it. But Pilate was not of the truth so he asked another question in verse 38 concerning what is truth. I wonder how many people today do not know what truth is. That is our responsability to tell and share with others and what a perfect starting question for evangelizing to them!
37″
You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
I liked this verse because it just shows us how blind some people are like Pilate. Jesus told Pilate he was born for this day and was testifying the truth. I am so glad Jesus did this for us.
6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Woah! i didn’t know this was in the Bible! It says that the people who came to arrest Jesus were afraid of him! It even says that they fell to the ground! I didn’t know that. I think that the people arresting him knew that he was different.
9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
I think its so cool how these old testament prophecies were perfectly fulfilled in the new testament. In the recording of the events John must have thought to himself… “woah, that just happened so a prophecy could be fulfilled!” Prophecy is such a great way to show non believers the validity and reliability of the Bible! I love how all the OT prophecies about Jesus came to pass with perfect precision and accuracy!!!
Wow Spencer great insite! We do need to live the life that glorifies Jesus’ name. It reminded me of the messages Bobby gave on the winter retreat about living for God 24/7! But God and His love for us is so powerful, He would never let us die in Hell. I also do agree with Mike about verse 11. We sometimes forget that in the long run, trials are supposed to be joyful because we know that God is working and His plan is being fufilled.
14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
God uses all people in different ways whether good or bad. If you think that you are in a bad situation just think to yourself, it’s all in God’s plan! Nothing is unknown to Him. He knows about everything that is happening in your life and will always take care of you. So don’t worry! :D
Great comment Spencer!!! Jesus didn’t get impatient or frustrated or annoyed with anyone, including nonchristians. He spoke to them all with gentleness and patience. We need to follow Jesus’ example in speaking to others, Christians and nonchristians.
Peter denied Jesus three times!! But, when I thought about it, not speaking to our nonchristain friends and those around us about Jesus and the gospel, is like the same thing as denying Him. If we aren’t telling others about Him and keeping it ‘a secret’ then how will others know we are Christians?
I would have to agree with what Mike said about persecution. It just reminded me of how I can find joy in persecution when, at the time, I do not appreciate it very much!! The more I thought about it, the more I kept thinking that the persecution we receive for being a christian, is probably NOTHING compared to what Jesus had to suffer and will suffer for us in the next chapter!! The least we can do is find immense amounts of joy in those situations, knowing that Jesus didn’t endured the pain for us when he was perfect, and that what we really deserve is eternity in hell. This encourages me to BOAST IN THE LORD MY GOD; no matter what people will say about me! :)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Christ knows that He has to die. Here Peter is defending Him by trying to kill one of the guards. But what He says to Peter is really interesting to me. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Woah! Jesus is telling Peter that He is supossed to be captured (and ultimately put to death the day later). But He the way He says this is very interesting to me. He compares His duty from God the Father as a cup given to Him. When someone gives you a cup, it’s a nice thing that they gave it to you, and then you drink it. Jesus is saying it was a good thing for Him to die. We Christians are DEFINITELY glad He did, because now we can have eternal life. But the way Christ views His duty from God is like God gave it to Him personally out of kindness. Today, we may not have to die for our faith but we should take an example from Christ, and look at our duty to serve and evangelize as a gift from God. We shouldn’t be scared or not want to tell others, we should be happy to! We have to be glad to lay down our personal wants for our obligation to Christ. He chose US, out of all the six million people in the world. That’s special, just as if He gave us a cup out of kindness. What are we going to do? We have to drink the cup given to us by fufilling our duties to God. It’s the least we can do for Him for saving us.
Great comment Spencer. These people were going to kill Him, and still Jesus was patient and loving toward them. People in our lives might be frustrating, but they’re probably not trying to kill us, and we definitely need to show love to them no matter what like Jesus.
38″What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
It’s sad how Pilate takes it for granted that you can’t understand truth. A lot of people are like this now of days, looking at everyone’s opinions and thinking it is impossible to decipher the truth out of them. But we know God’s Word is truth by its power and things like prophesies displayed in verse 32 and we need to make sure we are explaining this to people and praying for God to soften their hearts so that they might understand and repent.
I’m diggin how everyone is postin from across the globe! That’s the body of Christ at work baby!
6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Driving to Cleveland, I was listening to Moody Radio and they mentioned this verse in conjunction with 1 John 3:2 which basically says we will see God (and of course Jesus) for who He REALLY is. The speaker mentioned how he believed this was Jesus showing them a glimpse of his glory. When he speaks here, his authority (plus possibly the fact he shone like the “son” in glory) caused the guards to fall to the ground. Much like documented accounts of angels in the Bible (where people fall to the ground), Jesus unleashed his godly authority, better yet his omnipotence, and made it clear who he is. There is a great bumper sticker on Facebook that sums up this power Christ displays here:
“Don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell your storm how big your God is”
Just like everyone else said, that was a great point you made Spencer I completely agree with you.
Also, Haley hit on another great point, we talk about evangelism all the time as it just being something we should be doing, but as Haley said, keeping Jesus to ourselves is like denying we know Him.
Dude, Max! Great comment! Serving Christ is the greatest honor we can recieve in this life, and it is the least we can do in sight of His great sacrafice on the cross.
32This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
Every conversation we have, every event in our life, was planned out by God before the begining of time to glorify His name. This truth is incredible! How should this truth effect our lives? It should motivate us to glorify His name in everything that we do so that His good will is fullfilled in our lives! Like Max said “We have to be glad to lay down our personal wants for our obligation to Christ,” if we are glad to devote our lives to Christ then we have the right response to the truth that Jesus is God and that He is soverign, from eternity past to eternity future, forever and ever.
6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
This is so cool. Jesus just says this and the people coming to arrest him fall over. This is a glimpse into his miraculous power!
23″If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
this verse also really stuck out to me.
spencer made a great point.
like he said, Jesus never responded harshly or in rage. that really stood out to me. so often that is our first reaction. we definitely need to strive and act as christ did in this verse!
(:
6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
This is just amazing. When someone sees Jesus they will just fall flat on their face. They won’t put their hands down to protect their fall, but they will fall flat on their faces. That is just one of Jesus’ amazing miracoulous powers.
6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
This is just amazing. I mean he just made the men fall back by saing three words. This truely shows how powerfull really is.
Spencer, like everyone else, I totally agree, and patience with nonchristiams is something I really struggle with so if you guys could, pray for me.
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
This verse is really cool. Jesus could have let his disciples fight and try to get away and flee from what was to come. But he knew what Gods will was and let it happen. I just think that that is so cool that this happened
Verse 11 really popped out at me because Jesus knew exactly what he was about to go through yet he did not resist or fight it, because it was his fathers will. If Jesus Christ could die for us unworthy sinners because it was the Fathers will then we sure better be able to do Gods will even when we know it ain’t going to be easy.
23″If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
I totally agree with Spencer on this one. The first thing that struck me when i read this passage was Jesus’s patience. Through His actions Gods glory was revealed. This is our example that we need to follow becoming more like Jesus, meaning having this kind of patience.
27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
This is a very powerful verse. Peter denied Jesus 3 times! It makes me wonder, if a man who was with Jesus, and actually knew him personally, would deny him…would I? NO! I do not want to be the one that denies Christ. I want to be the one that everyone looks at and says, “She is a Christian!, She knows Christ” I want to live every second of everyday for the Lord. He is such a wonderful and amazing God, and i want to give my entire being over to serve his purpose!
37″You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
I agree with Jeff on this one, I liked this verse because it showed us how blind some people are. This should encourage us. We need to break through that blindness, and show them Christ! In the way we live, speak, act, in everything. “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” We need to listen to God, and do everything he commands.
(:
I will be in China for the next week and wont be able to be on Scripture of the Day ):
wow spencer great point!
i couldnt have said it better!
the way we live our lives at school will be a constant witness toward our friends and those we dont even know… we need to make sanctification and living like Christ a priority so that we refrain from any putting any stumbling blocks in their paths…