Judas betrays Jesus, 1-5. The officers fall to the ground, 6-9. Peter smites off Malchus' ear, 10, 11. Jesus is taken and led to Annas and Caiaphas, 12-14. Peter's denial, 15-18. Jesus examined before Caiaphas, 19-24. Peter's second and third denial, 25-27. Jesus arraigned before Pilate, 28-35. His kingdom, 36-39. The Jews prefer Barabbas, 40.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. 2 And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place, for Jesus often resorted there with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus says to them, "I am he." And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. 6 Then as soon as he had said to them, "I am he," they went backward and fell to the ground. 7 Then he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go away," 9 So that the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke: "Of those whom you gave to me, I have lost not one." 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put up your sword into the sheath. The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?"
12 Then the band, the captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year). 14 Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then that other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to her who kept the door and brought in Peter. 17 Then the woman-servant who kept the door says to Peter, "Are you not also one of this man's disciples?" He says, "I am not." 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals (for it was cold), and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus concerning his disciples and concerning his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple where the Jews always resort, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me what I have said to them. Behold, they know what I have said." 22 And when he had said this, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do you answer the high priest like that?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear testimony of the evil. But if rightly, why do you smite me?" 24 (Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.)
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore to him, "Are you not also one of his disciples?" He denied it, and said, "I am not." 26 One of the servants of the high priest (being the kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off) says, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 27 Peter then denied again, and immediately the cock crowed.
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment. And it was early, and they themselves did not go into the judgment-hall so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them, and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30 They answered and said to him, "If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to you." 31 Then Pilate said to them, "Take him and judge him according to your law." The Jews therefore said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death," 32 So that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered him, "Do you say this thing from yourself, or did others tell it to you concerning me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight so that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to him, "Are you a King then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a King. To this end I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, so that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." 38 Pilate says to him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and says to them, "I find in him no fault. 39 But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the passover. Do you therefore wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?" 40 Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas." (Now Barabbas was a robber.)
Matthew Henry Commentary - John, Chapter 18[➚]
[v.3] - Gospel Link: Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47.
[v.5] - "I am he" - Literally, "I am." The Greek phrase is, εγω ειμι, which is the same phrase used in the Septuagint in Exodus 3:14 when God says to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."
[v.6] - "I am he." - This quote is not marked in blue because it is not being directly spoken by Christ as in verse 5. This is John's telling of Christ speaking in his narrative.
[v.9] - The quote in this verse is referring to what Jesus said in His priestly prayer in John 17:12.
[v.10-11] - Gospel Link: Matthew 26:51-52; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:49-50.
[v.12-16] - Gospel Link: Matthew 26:57-58; Mark 14:53-54; Luke 22:54.
[v.17-18] - Gospel Link: Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57.
[v.25-27] - Gospel Link: Matthew 26:71-74; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-60.
[v.28] - Gospel Link: Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1.
[v.32] - "the saying of Jesus" - Reference, John 12:32-33. See also Matthew 20:18-19; Mark 10:33-34; Luke 18:31-33.
[v.33] - Gospel Link: Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3.
[v.37] - Gospel Link: Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3.
[v.38] - Gospel Link: Luke 23:4.
[v.39-40] - Gospel Link: Matthew 27:15-18; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:17-18.