The Gospels · Chapter 18 of 21

John 18

Jesus crosses the brook Cedron into a garden, where Judas leads soldiers to arrest him. When Jesus says I am he, the crowd falls back. He shields his disciples, rebukes Peter's sword, and drinks the cup his Father gives. Taken to the high priest, he is questioned while Peter denies him three times. Before Pilate, Jesus speaks of a kingdom not of this world, and the crowd chooses Barabbas.

What happens in John 18

After his prayer, Jesus goes with his disciples across the Cedron to a garden known to Judas. Judas arrives with soldiers, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus steps forward and identifies himself, and at his words I am he the arresting party falls to the ground. He asks that his disciples be let go, fulfilling his own saying that he lost none. Peter draws a sword and cuts off Malchus's ear, but Jesus tells him to sheathe it, for he will drink the cup the Father gives.

Bound, Jesus is led to Annas and then Caiaphas. Meanwhile Peter, warming himself at a fire of coals, denies Jesus three times, and the cock crows. Jesus is brought to Pilate, who finds no fault in him. Questioned about kingship, Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world and that he came to bear witness to the truth. Pilate asks what is truth, then offers to release him, but the crowd demands Barabbas.

John 18 in context

John's account of the arrest and trials moves from a garden to the high priest's palace to the Roman judgment hall. The religious leaders lack authority to execute, so they bring Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor.

John highlights that Jesus remains in control throughout, laying down his life rather than having it seized. Peter's denial by the fire fulfills Jesus's earlier warning and sets up his later restoration.

Main themes of John 18

John 18 (KJV)

1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 18And 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. 19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. 28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Verses to carry from John 18

“As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”John 18:6

“Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”John 18:11

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”John 18:37

Reflection

Peter followed at a distance and then denied he even knew the Lord, undone not by torture but by a servant girl's question at a fire. Where do fear and the desire to fit in tempt you to keep quiet about Jesus, and how does his steady faithfulness in the same chapter meet you there?

A prayer from John 18