John 18
John 18 Focus: Jesus is arrested--followed by 3 denials and a 3 part trial.
JOHN 18: Insights, Highlights and Points to Ponder:
- Have you ever heard a ROOSTER Crow?!? It is a unique, piercing sound that becomes etched in one’s mind and memory. I have vivid memories of the bedroom window being open and a rooster crowing at sunrise whenever I stayed on the farm in Malcolm, Nebraska, with my Grandparents Gerhard and Hilda Schmieding. Then soon after the rooster crowed, my two sisters and I would smell Grandma makin’ BACON in the kitchen downstairs and frying fresh laid eggs (in the bacon GREASE!) in a cast iron skillet (OH YUM! I will NEVER forget this!
Yes, I digress…(ha)…
Today in John 18 we will hear a ROOSTER crow. The once bold and impetuous Peter will embrace fear as he lies and denies He even knows Jesus--THREE (3) times! Remember, Jesus had predicted all this back in John 13: 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
- Keep in Mind John’s Holy Week Time Frame: In John’s Gospel chapters 1-12 cover about a 33 year time period. Chapters 13-17 cover the events of a about a one week period. Chapter 18 records the intense, emotional events of Maundy Thursday and the walk from the Upper Room across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemene. The arrest and trial of Jesus before two Jewish High Priests (Anna and Caiahphas) and Roman Governor Pilate happen in under a one day time span.
- Yes, Pontius Pilate truly existed! You may think--”Obviously, Pastor, the Bible says so.” And I agree and believe the Bible 100%. But…many skeptics and Bible critics questioned whether Pontius Pilate was an actual historical figure and actually served as Prefect (aka “Governor”) of Judea for the Roman Empire. The Jewish historian Josephus mentions Pilate, but there was NO Roman or other outside hard evidence about Pilate--(dah da daah!) UNTIL 1961. A stone was found in an outdoor amphitheater by an Italian archaeological excavation team in Caesarea Maritima in northern Israel next to the Mediterranean Sea that has a Latin inscription on it which indicates the theater was constructed during the rule of “Pontius Pilatus Prefect…Iudeam (Judea).” It was one of Pilate’s big building projects. Think of this inscription as a politician’s VANITY stone--like when politicians today want their name(s) posted on plaques when new courthouses or governmental buildings are dedicated.
We now read: John 18 (interspersed with commentary and insights)
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Wow! Jesus says it AGAIN! He says: “I AM He.” Jesus again declares His Divinity! It was SO powerful and stunning that “they drew back and fell to the ground.” Jesus again says what almighty God said to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3--”I AM Who I AM” and “…tell Pharoah I AM sent you.”
7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Different Gospel Writers Record Different Details: God’s Spirit inspired the entire process of giving us God’s 100% accurate message of salvation. Only John mentions the name of the servant (Malchus) who had his ear chopped off by Peter.
Review the extra details from the Garden of Gethsemene which Luke provides and records in Luke 22:47 While [Jesus] was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him
Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
NOTE: Annas was the former High Priest and Caiaphas was the current High Priest. The earlier sober pronouncement/prediction of Caiaphas in John 11 is now happening--Jesus is becoming a scapegoat and sacrificial lamb for the people. It was conniving Caiaphas who said after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in John 11:50 “…it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
Peter Denies Jesus
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
NOTE: The other disciple mentioned in verses 15-16 is thought to be John.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Can you hear it?! Cock-a-doodle-doo!!! It is piercing!
Personal Application? In what ways do WE deny Jesus in our lives? How do we at times ignore Him, deny Him, put other pursuits and passions and priorities ahead of Jesus?
Do YOU hear it?! Cock-a-doodle-doo!!! It is piercing!
But thanks be to God! Jesus is the ONE Who was pierced for our transgressions and died for our denials. Jesus loves and forgives and restores us--just as Jesus did for repentant Peter.
Jesus Before Pilate
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
NOTE: Remember, Jesus had already predicted his mode of death in John 12:32-33. If the Jews had carried out the execution of Jesus, He would have been stoned. But the Romans used the brutal method of crucifixion for executions.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
“What is TRUTH?” People throughout the ages ask this question. There is God’s ULITMATE Truth (with a capital “T” found only in Jesus, Who says, “I am the way and the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:1-6).
There are also many other issues humans debate which attempt to grasp, explain, and/or define countless lesser truths (compared to the ultimate TRUTH embodied in our Lord and Savior Jesus.). The discussions and debates about other truths may focus on scientific truths (the world is round and not flat) or moral issues and truths (those who advocate abortion as a choice versus the truth that abortion stops a beating human heart). Basic truths help explain REALITY as we know it and experience it.
Nevertheless, basic obvious truths are under attack. For example, there is a debate raging about how one defines gender, sex, and sexual identity. Our new President Biden (for whom I sincerely pray God gives wisdom and success for the sake of our nation) issued an Executive order last week which allegedly attempts to provide protections against any form of sexual discrimination. This is part of a movement to redefine the basic truth that all human beings are created by God as either male or female (as verfied in Genesis 1-3 and Jesus in Matthew 19). Catholic Bishops also objected to this President Biden’s Executive order which seems to open the door for biological males with boy parts who identify as transgender being allowed to compete in female athletics events. This governmental decree attempts redefine the obvious, evident, basic common sense truth about sex, gender, and how God created us. Such attempts by sinful humans to redefine basic truth are misguided and just plain wrong according to God’s Word.
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
NOTE: Pilate DID know a basic truth--the trumped up charges against Jesus by the Jews were a sham. The charges against Jesus were NOT true. Pilate declared this truth: “I find no guilt in Him”(18:38). Pilate even came up with a ploy in an attempt to save face with the mob and the corrupt authorities and save Jesus from crucifixion. But Pilate’s plan backfired, because it was not God’s plan. Jesus had to die to forgive and save sinners--like us.
+ We Pray (let’s try praying it OUT LOUD): + Dear Jesus, You are the great I AM. Forgive us when we deny You in our lives. Thank You for taking the guilt of all our sins upon Yourself. Restore us with Your love and forgiveness. Strengthen our Faith through Your Word. Empower us by Your Spirit to profess You and Your Truth with boldness and love. Dear Lord and Savior, have mercy upon us. Amen.
