18:1 When 1 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.
(1) Christ goes of his own accord into a garden, which his
betrayer knew, to be taken, so that by his obedience he
might take away the sin that entered into the world by one
man's rebellion, and that in a garden.
18:32 Judas then, having received a band [of men] and
officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh
thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
(2) Christ who was innocent was taken as a wicked person, that
we who are wicked might be let go as innocent.
18:43 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come
upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
(3) Christ's person (but not his power) was bound by his
adversaries, but only when and how he desired.
18:84 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am [he]: if
therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
(4) Christ does not neglect the office of a good pastor, not
even in his greatest danger.
18:105 Then 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.
(5) We ought to contain our zeal for God within the bounds of
our calling.
18:136 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in
law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
(6) Christ is brought before an earthly high priest to be
condemned for our blasphemies, that we might be acquitted
by the everlasting high Priest himself.
18:157 And 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.
(7) A graphic example of the fragility of men, even the best of
them, when they are left to themselves.
18:198 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and
of his doctrine.
(8) Christ defends his cause, but only slightly, not that he
would withdraw himself from death, but to show that he was
condemned as someone who was innocent.
18:259 And 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.
(9) After men have once fallen, they cannot only not lift
themselves up by their own strength, but also they fall
more and more into a worse condition, until they are raised
up again by a new power from God.
18:2810 Then led they Jesus from a 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.
(10) The Son of God is brought before the judgment seat of an
earthly and profane man, in whom there is found much less
wickedness than in the rulers of the people of God. A
graphic image of the wrath of God against sin, and in
addition of his great mercy, and last of all of his most
severe judgment against the stubborn condemners of his
grace when it is offered unto them.
(a) From Caiaphas' house.
18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him
according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him,
b It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
(b) For judgments of life and death were taken from them
forty years before the destruction of the temple.
18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he
spake, c signifying what death he should die.
(c) For Christ had foretold that he would be crucified.
18:3611 Jesus 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.
(11) Christ affirms his spiritual kingdom, but rejects a
worldly one.
18:3812 Pilate saith unto him, d 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].
(12) It was required that Christ should be pronounced innocent,
but nonetheless, in that he took upon himself our person,
he was to be condemned as a most wicked man.
(d) He speaks this disdainfully and scoffingly, and not by
way of asking a question.
18:40 Then e cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but
Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
