John Chapter 18 - Commentary

1-14 Jesus Meets His Accusers

[1] To the Garden of Gethsemane

This is the garden of Gethsemane. Contrasted with the Garden of Eden:

Eden was delightful and peaceful	Gethsemane was dreadful and anguished
Eden was graced with the light of God	Gethsemane was dark and lonely
Adam fell in Eden	Christ redeemed us in Gethsemane
Adam took fruit from Eve’s hand	Christ received the cup from the Father
Adam hid himself	Jesus boldly showed Himself
Adam was ‘driven’ from the garden	Christ was ‘led’ from the garden
Adam fell before Satan	Soldiers fell before Jesus
Adam betrayed his trust with God	Judas betrayed Jesus
Sin was introduced to man	Sin was overcome for man

[3] A “Cohort” of Roman Soldiers

This was 1/10 of a Roman legion, or about 600 men (which were stationed at the Antonio fortress). The chief captain of the guard was present, as well as a number of temple police. The plan was to round up Jesus and all of his disciples (which could have been 70-100 people or more)

[4] Jesus was in charge

Jesus came out to meet the mob – He was fully aware of the hour, the prophecies concerning His death, and the purpose for which He came to this very point.

[6] I AM

Jesus showed His divine knowledge and power. He did not say “do not be afraid”.

[8] Let them go

Notice Jesus commanded the captain to let His disciples go. It was not a request, but an order. This was the Good Shepherd protecting His sheep.

[10] Peter’s rash behavior

Zeal without knowledge does not serve God’s purposes. Here Peter was brave in the flesh, not in the spirit, only to be confounded later by denying Christ. He should have been praying instead of sleeping – and was unprepared to meet the circumstances he faced. How much do we prepare for our hour of trial? How should we prepare?

15-27 The Religious “Trial”

[19] The “Trials”

There were six trials in all –

Annas v. 12-14 no fault found

Caiaphas v. 19-24 asked Him to incriminate Himself

Sanhedrin Matt 27:1,2 probably just the quorum of 23 or more

Pilate v. 28-38 found no fault, called Him King of the Jews.

Herod Luke 23:6-11 no jurisdiction

Pilate v. 39 He is the King of the Jews

The Jews Caiaphas viewed as their “real” high priest, but Annas was the Roman designate, appointed by Quirinius, governor of Syria, in ad. 6.

All the trials were illegal. Jewish laws that were broken include:

It was illegal to bind the captive before formally being charged with a crime.

It was illegal to establish guilt or pass sentence before the trial.

It was illegal to try to have the witness incriminate themselves, but the line of questioning presented by Caiaphas was designed for that – specifically to adjure Jesus to declare whether He was the Son of God.

It was illegal to bring false witnesses, if they do not agree, the charged is to be released.

It was illegal to beat or strike the accused – the judges are to protect the accused.

It was illegal to hold a trial on a feast day – this was still Passover

It was illegal to hold a trial in secret - they must be open, held in the court.

     Pilate found Jesus blameless, and by law, should have released Jesus.

[27] Peter’s denial

We are all in Peter’s shoes….

28-40 The “Civil” Trial

[28] For it would “defile” them

The priests were worried about being ceremonial defiled while committing murder… It is amazing how the mind is capable of rationalizing sin as long as things “appear” right.

[38] What is truth?

When deed and word are the same. While Pilate sarcastically asks Jesus a question he doesn’t believe can be answered, it also reflects the desire to “know” something and be able to depend upon it. Perhaps Pilate listened to Christ’s answer, because later he refused to recant his judgement that in fact, Jesus was the king of the Jews. More importantly, Pilate declares as the representative of the world government that Jesus was without blame.

[39] Commitment to Justice

As is often the case, faced with a difficult decision, Pilate seeks a compromise, but in the end he only compromise’s his own integrity – if his pronouncement were law, Jesus should have been released. But Pilate shows no commitment to justice or truth. Therein lies the reason Jesus needed to die for us.


Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.