John chapter 18
Jesus prays in the garden. Judas betrays Jesus. Jesus is arrested. Peter denies Jesus. The religious leaders question Jesus. His kingdom is not of this world.
JESUS PRAYS IN THE GARDEN
VERSE 1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
VERSE 2. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS
VERSE 3. Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
VERSE 4. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
VERSE 5. They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
VERSE 6. When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground.
VERSE 7. Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
VERSE 8. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,”
let these go their way. Christ’s first impulse was to protect his followers.
VERSE 9. that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
VERSE 10. Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
VERSE 11. Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
The cup which the Father has given me. What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels.
JESUS IS ARRESTED
VERSE 12. So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him,
VERSE 13. and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
VERSE 14. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.
PETER DENIES JESUS THE FIRST TIME
VERSE 15. Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
another disciple. Probably John.
VERSE 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 her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.
VERSE 17. Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.”
VERSE 18. Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
JESUS IS QUESTIONED BY THE HIGH PRIEST
VERSE 19. The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
VERSE 20. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret.
I said nothing in secret. Some people claim that there are a collection of “secret” teachings of Jesus. However, Jesus himself says he did not have secret teachings.
VERSE 21. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.”
VERSE 22. When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
2 Chronicles 18:23. Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the LORD’s Spirit go from me to speak to you?”
VERSE 23. Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”
VERSE 24. Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.
PETER DENIES JESUS TWO MORE TIMES
VERSE 25. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
VERSE 26. One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?”
VERSE 27. Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.
JESUS IS QUESTIONED BY PILATE
VERSE 28. They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
VERSE 29. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
VERSE 30. They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”
If this man weren’t an evildoer. They are not able to accuse Jesus of any specific wrongdoing or criminal activity.
VERSE 31. Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is illegal for us to put anyone to death,”
VERSE 32. that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
CHRIST’S KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD
VERSE 33. Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
VERSE 34. Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?”
VERSE 35. Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”
VERSE 36. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
My Kingdom is not of this world. The Kingdom of God is not a denomination or a culture. It is not a religion or a political movement or culture war. Rather it is within you. Read more »
my servants would fight. The Bible speaks of the Armies of Heaven. They are mighty warrior angels led by Michael the Archangel. They battle against evil. Read more »
VERSE 37. Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
For this reason I have been born. What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels.
I should testify to the truth. The mission of Jesus Christ is centered on truth. He did not teach fables or myths.
Christians are often untrustworthy. Corrupt. It is necessary to have contracts. And lawyers and lawsuits. Why are Christians so dishonest? Read more »
VERSE 38. Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
VERSE 39. But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
VERSE 40. Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
JOHN
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Commands, Spirituality
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.