John 18
http://ccritz.com/upload.php Bonnie’s Notes on Dave’s Commentaries — John 18
The time of day could be as late as 10:00 p.m. now. They are in the Garden of Gethsemane and have crossed over into the lower slope of the Mount of Olives in a park-like place. A few hours later, Judas comes. In the meantime, Jesus is praying and the disciples are sleeping. It’s reasonable to assume that it could be around 2:00 a.m. when Judas comes with the soldiers. John emphasizes Jesus as Deity throughout his Gospel. He does not necessarily repeat what others have put into their renderings. Each has a different emphasis. The book of John is a crucial one for unsaved people to read as it does focus on the Deity of Christ. Many throughout history have been saved by reading this book.
We have Christ’s example of prayer here. He chose an area that’s in the garden. It’s hard to say whether it was cultivated or wilderness. Out in nature away from the distractions of the world and everyday life, it is easier to concentrate on the things of the Lord. The example He sets for us here is to have established times and places for prayer, Scripture memory, and thinking on God’s Word.
v. 3 — Judas was a follower. Now he’s leading a band of men, from the wrong team, and comes with weapons. When things come up, analyze. Does it keep me going in that right direction or divert me from it? Satan is only too happy to put even pleasant looking opportunities in our path to distract us from the route the Lord would have us stay on. The group brings weapons. Approximately ten times before, attempts have been made on Jesus’ life and none succeeded. Some examples are in John 8:56-59 and John 10:31 — an attempted stoning. Now they think the weapons might help. How foolish, really. The Lord will only be taken when it is His time and the weapons won’t be necessary. Nothing would deter Him from fulfilling the Father’s will to be the sacrificial lamb for us.
v. 4 — “Jesus therefore knowing all things” comes forth to them. He had a foreknowledge of these events because they had been foreordained to happen. Even before Adam and Eve sinned, the plan had been devised to reconcile him and his ancestors to the Lord. Jesus takes the initiative here and approaches them. A good technique we can use when witnessing. “Whom seek ye?” He asks.
v. 5 — Judas “stood with them” as an enemy now.
v. 6,7– Here is recorded another “I AM” of Jesus. There is power in the spoken Word of God. Is. 55:11 says His Word will not return void, but will accomplish for Him what He wills. In Rev. 19, the sword from the Lord (spoken words) slays His enemies. In the garden, Jesus speaks and they fall to the ground! He is still taking the initiative and is in charge. They can only take Him if He allows it.
Morris says the people there may have been reacting so strongly due to the countenance of Jesus when He spoke the words “I AM.” This is His divine title that was used by Jehovah to Moses at the burning bush.
A number of passages speak of Jesus with a bright countenance, especially in Revelation. (This isn’t one.) In John 1, He is described as the light of the world. In Matthew 17 we have a glimpse of the to-be-glorified Christ in the transfiguration. It is certainly difficult for sinful man to stand in the presence of Deity. But here we simply have the example of a Spirit-filled man headed for the cross.
v. 8,9 — He negotiates for His eleven disciples. He will not lose a single one and continues to care for them right to the end. John 6:37and 39, chapters 15, 16, 17 and John 18:9 say that all are His and will remain His except the son of perdition.
v. 10 — Peter has bad aim with a sword! Malchus is graciously healed by the Lord. In the early years of reading the New Testament letters, people still recognized the names or knew the people mentioned in Scripture. It adds a good bit of authenticity to the account in those early times. You can be sure they were testifying for the Lord and they could be tracked down by skeptics to substantiate the account.
v. 11 — This verse should settle a number of issues. Look back at Luke 22:42-44. Many misinterpret this verse by saying that Jesus was praying in the garden not to die, because He knew He was going to the cross. In John 18, He’s past the payer in the Garden and still talking of the “cup.” In His prayer, He was referring to the experience of the wrath of God that He would soon bear for all humanity. His holy nature recoiled at that. Now He has the strength and He is ready. There was never any question of His not going to the cross to fulfill the Father’s will.
v. 12 — That these people felt they must bind Him in case He tried something else, shows you how little they understood. He’s already knocked them over, but He showed no resistance at first when He approached them.
v. 13 — Annas had been the high priest and his term was up. He still ruled, although his son-in-law Caiaphas was now officially the high priest. It also gave them time to get the Sanhedrin together. There’s no record in Scripture, but there may have been one member not awakened for this meeting — Nicodemus.
v. 14 — In John 11:49-50, Caiaphas had suggested that Jesus should die so the Romans would be appeased and not bring further trouble. This was right after the raising of Lazarus.
v. 15 — Simon Peter and John were more bold at first. The rest scattered. Peter did not go into the palace of the high priest at first, whereas John went inside the courtyard (not in the building). Peter failed because of fear and he was not prepared to be challenged. We should think ahead and plan for possible contingencies, having ready responses for circumstances that may occur. Always be ready to speak the truth.
v. 18 — Don’t hang out with the enemy. It only brings problems. If you keep walking into temptation you will fall. See Psalm 1.
v. 19 — The high priest asks Jesus of His disciples and Jesus ignores the question. Of the twelve, the inner three — Peter, James, and John — were closer to the Lord. James was the first martyred. John was the closest of all and lived the longest. The high priest wants a theological debate, but the Lord ignores the bait — a good example for us to ignore foolish questions.
v. 20,21 — There is no disrespect or defiance in the Lord’s tone. He knows there were many people who heard Him including spies from the Sanhedrin, so He does not need to explain. We don’t have to answer argumentative questions either. There is no sense of Him giving Ananias chances or calls to repentance. Jesus gave Judas several. Ananias is probably like Pharaoh and has crossed the line. Now it’s too late for him.
v. 22 — This un-named officer (because he’s on the wrong team) is offended at the treatment given to Ananias. How ashamed he would be if he knew that Jesus is God!
v. 24 — The Sanhedrin is gathered (probably 69 of the 70 members since Nicodemus is later known to have become a Christian and helps with the Lord’s burial). Peter’s denials get easier and more vehement.
v. 25-27 — “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25. Trust in the Lord, flee youthful lusts, follow charity, avoid temptation etc. With obnoxious argumentative types, Dave will often walk away. They are not inclined to listen and be swayed by our arguments.
v. 28 — They are in the Roman hall of judgment now — probably the Praetorium or Castle Antonia in the magnificent palace Herod the Great had built which was occupied by the Roman governor when he was in town. Romans are Gentiles so the Jewish leaders don’t enter since it is Passover week. If they did, they would be “unclean.” The arrest and direct interrogation even violates their own Jewish laws. Jesus is supposed to have defense council and due process of law. The trial is in the wee hours of darkness. To prepare a defense would take time and such time is owed to the accused, but there is none of that in this situation.
v. 29 — They don’t answer Pilate’s question. They want Roman authority to lynch the Lord.
v. 32 — In John 12 (and Matt. 20:19), Jesus had said that He would be crucified — a Roman death. Jews would have stoned Him (Lev. 24:16) for blasphemy, and indeed they had tried earlier. They want Jesus to be humiliated and to suffer. See the prophecy of Psalm 22.
v. 33-36 — The whole inquisition should have ended here when Jesus says His kingdom is not of this world. At first, Pilate is not asking a genuine question (v. 34) and shows some attitude, but then he becomes more interested in the accusations against Jesus. This time the Lord answers (v. 36).
v. 37 — It’s as though Jesus is saying to Pilate, “You said it!” He’s giving Pilate some very serious information here, but then Pilate changes again and Jesus remains mute.
v. 38 — Morris says that “philosophers have searched for truth all through the ages, but like Pilate, have never found it. Even in the last days, men will be ‘ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:1,7).’ But for those who sincerely desire the truth . . . (the Holy Spirit) . . . will lead them to the Lord Jesus, who is ‘the Truth.’”
Pilate could find no fault or reason to crucify Jesus.
v. 39,40 — The case is dismissed again! Pilate is trying to get out of the situation. Like many politicians decisions were made to ensure his own position. He needed the support of the political body in Jerusalem to rule there and keep his career. There were three crosses, probably for Barabbas and two of his men. Most likely, Jesus got one of them in Barabbas’ place. The crowd here is stirred up by the Jewish leaders. The people in the crowd have a great lack of discernment. Look at Malachi 3:16-18, speaking of the Millenium. Looking forward in time, we see that the Jews will have discernment which implies that they did not have it before. They will participate in Judgment, too — verse 18.
~~~Bonnie