Johnchapter 18

Peter's Denial — Gustave Doré (engraving), public domain

A.Arrest in the Garden: Put Up the Swordvv. 1-11

1 After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. 2 Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. 8 “I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” 10 Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

B.Annas Questions Jesus While Peter Denies Himvv. 12-27

12 Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people. 15 Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered. 18 Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” 27 Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

C.Before Pilate: My Kingdom Is Not of This Worldvv. 28-40

28 Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” 30 “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” 31 “You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die. 33 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “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 not of this realm.” 37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. 39 But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

Commentary on this chapter: read the Exposition

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Chapter summary

Gethsemane garden; the band of officers falls backward at 'I am he.' Peter's sword; 'the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' Annas, then Caiaphas.

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Gethsemane garden; the band of officers falls backward at 'I am he.' Peter's sword; 'the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' Annas, then Caiaphas. Peter's three denials. Trial before Pilate: 'my kingdom is not of this world.'

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.

Context

Gospel · John — John overview

A. 1–11 Arrest in the Garden: Put Up the Sword
B. 12–27 Annas Questions Jesus While Peter Denies Him
C. 28–40 Before Pilate: My Kingdom Is Not of This World

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Matthew 2611 verses
- Matthew 26:2“You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
- Matthew 26:3At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
- Matthew 26:33Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”
- Matthew 26:36At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
- Matthew 26:39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
- Matthew 26:51At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
- Read Matthew 26: 5 more there →
John 1811 verses
- John 18:1After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden.
- John 18:3So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
- John 18:4Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
- John 18:7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
- John 18:10Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
- John 18:12Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.
- Read John 18: 5 more there →
Luke 229 verses
- Luke 22:39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.
- Luke 22:47While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
- Luke 22:49Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
- Luke 22:54Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.
- Luke 22:55When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
- Luke 22:58A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”
- Read Luke 22: 3 more there →
Mark 148 verses
- Mark 14:32Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
- Mark 14:47And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
- Mark 14:54Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.
- Mark 14:55Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.
- Mark 14:65Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
- Mark 14:66While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down
- Read Mark 14: 2 more there →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

John 197 verses
- John 19:3And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.
- John 19:4Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- John 19:6As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- John 19:9and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.
- John 19:12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
- John 19:15At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.
- Read John 19: 1 more there →
Luke 236 verses
- Luke 23:2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”
- Luke 23:3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Luke 23:4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
- Luke 23:16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
- Luke 23:18But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
- Luke 23:25As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will.
- Read Luke 23 →
Mark 155 verses
- Mark 15:1Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.
- Mark 15:2So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Mark 15:3And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things.
- Mark 15:6Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
- Mark 15:7And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
- Read Mark 15 →
John 132 verses
- John 13:1It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.
- John 13:38“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
- Read John 13 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.