John 18:1 ¶ When 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. 2
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes
resorted thither with his disciples. 3
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief
priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things
that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus
saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them,
I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And
they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus
answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go
their way: 9 That the saying might be
fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10 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. 11 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? 12
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and
bound him,
This is the brook Kidron,
the word translated here from Hebrew,
which King David crossed in his escape to the wilderness during his son,
Absalom’s, insurrection in 2Samuel 15:23. This is the garden of Gethsemane and John’s
version leaves out Christ’s prayer in Matthew and goes right to His betrayal by
Judas and arrest.
When Jesus says the words I am, which is the name of God, the party sent to arrest Him falls
down. Then Jesus tells them that since He is the one they want they should let
His disciples go. This was done to fulfill what He prayed back in chapter 17,
verse 12.
Peter was armed and he took a swing with his sword, cutting
off a servant’s ear, the servant’s name being Malchus. That Jesus returned that
ear to its place is not mentioned in this account but in Luke’s.
Jesus went voluntarily with the lawful authorities,
authorities over whose actions He could have complete control, as He showed in
this passage when He said I am.
Notice that Jesus did not resist the lawful authorities even
though they were wicked and depended on a traitor, an inside man, to get to
Him. Whether this is only applicable in this situation and whether you cannot
say that this is an example for Christians to follow is only possible as a
question in countries, like America, where you still have freedom of conscience
and religious belief. That could change at any time and we may one day find
ourselves having to make a decision, go like Christ to our martyrdom or fight
to a certain death like some worldly revolutionary.
I suppose it depends on how much you trust Him.
John 18:13 ¶ And led him away to Annas first; for he was
father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which 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 unto the high priest, and went in
with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But 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. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto
Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, 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 of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus 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. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me,
what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And 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? 23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but
if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now
Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 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. 26 One 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? 27
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
For verses 13 and 14 see chapter 11 again in the account of
Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead. Here is Caiaphas.
John 11:45 ¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and
had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the
Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the
Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men
will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and
nation. 49 And one of them, named
Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing
at all, 50 Nor consider that it is
expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole
nation perish not. 51 And this spake he
not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus
should die for that nation; 52 And not
for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children
of God that were scattered abroad. 53
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to
death.
Who was the disciple that was known by the high priest and
went in with Jesus to the interrogation of Annas, Caiphas’ father-in-law? We aren’t told so we can only presume any
significance to the mention. He was able to get Peter admitted and that was the
first time someone said that Peter must have been a disciple of Jesus. He
denied that he was.
Verse 18 brings up an interesting idea as Peter warms his
hands over the fire. Do we warm our hands over the world’s fire and does that
not lead us to denying we know Christ? In the entertainments we choose, the
employment we choose, the education we choose, the friends we choose, and in
other things we do as we follow Christ we are tempted to deny that we know Him.
How does a Christian go to a professional sporting event with drunks and
profane people shouting obscenities and not feel as if he just wants to keep
his head down, maintain a low profile and keep from even being noticed? How do
you work with foul mouthed people who mock God and not be tempted to just not
be noticed so as not to cause a stir?
I’m just asking a couple of questions. Sure, you can be a light and
beacon for Christ wherever you are. But, I just want to alert you to the fact
that if you throw your clean shirt into a filthy, sewage filled mudhole the
mudhole does not become clean, the shirt gets dirty. Just keep that in mind
when you look down your nose at Peter.
Wanting to keep a low profile, to keep your head down, not to be the
cause of controversy that gets you thrown out of the ballpark stadium or fired
from your job and runs away your friends can be a very dangerous thing for your
walk with Christ. Just keep it in mind the next time you go to a professional
football game or think about where you might want to try for a job. When are
you warming your hands over the world’s fire?
Jesus answered their question with the fact that He had done
the things He had done openly so why were they asking Him these questions. I am
reminded of Paul being smitten, although with a slightly different response;
Acts 23:1 ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council,
said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until
this day.2 And the high priest Ananias
commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite
thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and
commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou
God’s high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he
was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler
of thy people.
Jesus however did not hurl any insults but simply asked that
if He had done bad things testify of them but if He had done good things why
did they hit Him? Many preachers like to say that Paul was the greatest
Christian who ever lived just as it is said that Solomon was the wisest man who
ever lived. However, the Bible paints a portrait of the followers of God, no
matter how great or wise, warts and all. Do you think you are any better?
Peter denies he knows Christ twice again.
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