John Lesson 45

Introduction

When Judas came to betray Jesus, he found him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He approached Jesus along with the Jewish officers and soldiers, and he pointed him out to them by a kiss, as though he were a friend of Jesus. I wonder if there are not some today who claim to love Jesus, and who, like Judas, might kiss him, and yet in reality they are playing the role of a hypocrite. They really would betray him. For there are many who turned back on the Lord. Their words say one thing, but their actions prove something else. In our lesson today, we’re going to be studying about the arrest of Jesus and the Jewish phase of his trial from the Gospel of John, chapter 18. Why don’t you get your New Testament open and read with us as we let the Bible speak?

There are five chapters in the Gospel of John that describe the last few hours that Jesus was with his apostles. We often refer to that scene as the Last Supper, for it was the time which Jesus met with his apostles to eat the Passover. John gives us the most detail about that supper when we study from chapters 13 through 17 about that occasion. And we’ve been studying through the Gospel of John verse by verse, and so in recent studies we have gone through these five chapters. After the conclusion of the prayer that is recorded in John chapter 17, the scripture says that Jesus went with his apostles or his disciples to a garden.

1. Jesus Went Forth and Said, I Am He

The scripture says, when Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the book over the brook Hedron, where was a garden into which he entered and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place. For Jesus oft times resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. Jesus knew that Judas was to betray him. In fact, we studied earlier how that he had even let Judas know that he knew that he had covenanted with the Jewish officers or rulers to betray him.

But Judas still went out and fulfilled the covenant that he had made, even though Jesus knew. And then after Jesus had finished his discussion with the apostles and telling them how that the Holy Spirit would come upon them, and how that he was to depart, Jesus knew that he was to die. He knew that his hour was come. In fact, he told them in this discussion how that the Son of Man would be glorified, and thereby even the Father would be glorified. Therefore, when the time came at the end of this discussion with his apostles, Jesus did not try to hide himself or escape to some unknown place where Judas and the officers could not find him. But rather the scripture shows that even in a voluntary way, Jesus went to a place that he off went.

He knew that Judas would come looking for him. And Judas knew where to find him, and Jesus knew that Judas knew.

Now the garden of Gethsemane, the word Gethsemane really literally means wine press. And it is believed to have been perhaps a grove of olive trees, perhaps enclosed and by some sort of rock fence, and to there Jesus had off gone for rest and for meditation, perhaps for prayer. And Judas knew, along with the other apostles, where to find him. It was on the east side of Jerusalem, probably at the foot of the Mount of Olives, and just on the other side of a brook that is here identified as the brook Kedron. And the scripture says that Judas, along with this band of men and officers, with their lanterns and torches and weapons, came to Jesus. When they arrived, they asked, or Jesus asked, Whom do you seek?

Who are you looking for? Of course, Jesus knew the answer to that. And perhaps he startled them somewhat when they replied Jesus of Nazareth, and Jesus said, I am he. He did not try to escape, he did not try to pretend or hide from them as though he were someone else, but boldly he affirmed, I am he. As we study the trial or the arrest and the trial of Jesus Christ, it will be helpful for us if we’ll turn back at a time to the account of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Because when we put all four of these accounts together, we get a full description. Not all tell the same or all the same facts. In fact, we can piece together many interesting stories. And in Matthew chapter 26, there is one story that is told that is not recorded in John.

2. Not My Will But Thine Be Done

And that is that shortly before Judas came with the rulers, Jesus resorted in the garden of Gethsemane, and there he prayed unto the Lord. In Matthew 26, beginning in verse 36, then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and said unto the disciples, Sit ye here while I go and pray under. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Tarry ye here and watch with me. And he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed, saying, O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he cometh unto the disciples and found them asleep, and said unto unto Peter, What could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went aga away again the second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy, and he left them and went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples and saith unto them, Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

For with agony, with an anxiety, Jesus prayed, If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done. Luke even recorded that sweat fell from his brow as though it were great drops of blood. The agony that he went through. And as he came back, his disciples had fallen asleep. They didn’t really understand what was about to take place. But Jesus knew. And yet Jesus’ prayer was, If there’s any other way to save mankind, let it be. Let this cup pass from me. But nevertheless, not my will but thine be done. Oh, how we ought to pray, at least similarly, not my will but thine be done. Far too many times there are those of us who, when we find difficult tasks in front of us, we want God to change his will concerning us.

And in our own lives, when we wish for certain things, we we really pray that our will be God’s, not God’s will but mine be done, is the way our prayer really comes out. But the Son of God left us an example of righteous prayer. That when we pray unto God, it might be that the very thing we ask for may not come to pass like we ask for it. Jesus still was put to death. But in essence, his prayer was answered. For the prayer of Jesus was, if it’s any if there’s any other way to save man, do so. But basically, thy will be done. And if there is no other way for man to be saved, then Christ voluntarily died on the cross. And that should be the way we pray.

3. Put Up Thy Sword Into the Sheath

We make our wants and our petitions known unto God. But basically and ultimately, let us say, God, thy will be done, and not mine. And I’ll make whatever changes in my life are necessary to comply with God’s will. We want to be in God’s image, not make God in our image. And let us not pray selfishly just for vain and selfish things, but rather let us pray God’s will be done. Well, again, when we read in John chapter 18, verses 6 through 10, the scripture says that as soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground. Then asking them again, whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he.

If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, of them which thou gavest me, have I lost none. And he’s already asked them once, who are you seeking? And when they said Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus said, I am he. But then they seemed to hesitate, perhaps uh a bit awed and astonished, maybe even frightened that at the righteous and the confident demeanor of Jesus Christ, when he said, I am he, even a second time, they fell backwards. They went backwards and fell to the ground. And Jesus again asked them, Who are you seeking? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. And again he said, I told you that I am he. If you seek me, let these disciples go.

Let the disciples go, lest they should suffer the same physical fate, and lest their faith should fail by going through the same trial of death that Jesus would would suffer, Jesus protects them and secures them. He seeks that they be released lest their faith should fail. And evidently the soldiers do agree to that and let the disciples uh be released. But but perhaps they’re startled by Jesus, that his willingness to be arrested by them. In verses 10 and 11, however, we see the reaction of one of his disciples. When the scripture said, Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant and cut off his right here. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Peter, 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?

Now, Peter, not understanding totally the whole scene, was an impetuous man. And as he had even earlier on the same night had had declared unto Jesus that though all men shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended in thee. I would die with thee before I would oppose or deny thee. And so in this scene, when these officers come, Peter, perhaps not even thinking about the fact that they could be easily overthrown, that they were certainly outnumbered, both with men as well as with weapons, he drew his sword and cut off the priest, the servant of the high priest, cut off his right ear. John names him for us as Malchus and tells us it was Peter who did it. Jesus quickly replied to this scene.

First of all, he performed the miracle by healing the wound of the ear of Malchus. And then to Peter, he in essence said, Peter, shall I not drink of the cup my father hath given me? That signified the voluntary death. In other words, Peter, if we stand here and fight, then I would not be put to death in the manner that God has willed that I should die. The Lord had told them about this scene. The Lord had told them that he would be crucified. The Lord had told them that he was to be put to death, and they would rise again the third day. And Peter, would you, would you stand in the way of the Lord? That’s question number one. But in the book of Matthew, we also find where Jesus also taught him another lesson about the nature of the kingdom.

I’m reading in Matthew chapter 26, where in verse 51 the scripture says, Behold, one of them which were with Jesus, stretched out his hand and drew a sword and struck a servant, a high priest, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? And how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled? That thus it must be. Don’t you know that the Lord could have averted his death? Twelve legions of angels could have protected him. But Peter, put up your sword. All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Now there’s a great principle there. Number one is that the kingdom of the Lord is not an earthly material kingdom. And it does not reign by physical force. The Lord has not caught up his disciples in some kind of military battle. The kingdom of the Lord, as we’ll learn in verses 36 through 38 of this same chapter, is a spiritual kingdom. In fact, before Pilate, Jesus said, If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But instead of his servants taking up swords and staves and fighting off the Roman soldiers or the Jewish soldiers, Jesus never sought his soldiers, his spiritual soldiers to fight in that way. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they’re mighty through God.

You see, the power of God to salvation is the gospel of the Lord. And never do you read where the Lord sent out his disciples to put men to death who might disagree with him. There are those today who might think that the best way to cause or advance the cause of Jesus Christ is with some military might, but not so. The devil is working in the world, and there is false doctrine. But the best answer for them is to take the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The best way to put down evil and to turn men away from Satan’s cause is to take the word of the Lord. Peter, put up your sword. Those who live by the sword or take the sword are going to perish by the sword.

4. Don’t Be Like a Judas

They’ll die by the sword. Indeed, Christ willingly gave himself to die for you and me. We’ll be back in just one moment as we continue the study about the arrest and the trial of Jesus Christ from John chapter 18. Indeed, it was a sad occasion in the life of Jesus Christ when one of his closest companions, Judas Iscariot, came with the soldiers and the officers of the Jews and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. On the one hand it appeared as though he were his friend. But on the other hand, Jesus knew that this was the sign that Judas had made with the Jews, that he would point out Jesus Christ to them. Indeed, I wonder if they’re not some today, who with a hypocritical kiss, that is figuratively speaking, they say they love Jesus Christ.

They claim that they want to do as well. But when you look closely at their life, there is only hypocrisy there. Or thirty pieces of silver or for things of this world. They have denied the Lord Jesus Christ. Where do you stand? How do you serve the Lord? Is it with words only? Is it with some outward move that that pretends or makes the world think you love the Lord, but in reality you have rejected him, you have betrayed him. Don’t be like a Judas. As we read further in John chapter 18, the scripture says that after they had arrested Jesus, verse 12 through 14, the Bran and the captain and officer of the Jews took Jesus and bound him and led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiophas, which was the high priest that same year.

5. The Jewish Trial Before Annas and Caiaphas

Now Caiophas was he which gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that that one man should die for the people. In order to understand something about the trial of Jesus Christ, we we must understand that there are really two phases of it. First of all, there is a Jewish trial that goes on before the high priest and then before the Sanhedrin Council. And then as we go on into chapter later part of chapter eighteen and in chapter nineteen, there’s a Roman phase of it, when they take him to Pilate, the Roman governor. But remembering that this is the night time first, and as they’ve come and they bound Jesus and they take him, there’s really no need for them to bind him. Jesus has already said I am he and voluntarily gave himself.

But nevertheless they went through this unjust scene and bound Jesus. His disciples fled at that point in time. The scripture says they took him to Annas. Now Annas actually was the official high priest. The Jews regarded him as their high priest, but uh Caiaphas was the one whom the Romans had appointed as the high priest. Caiaphas was the son in law of Annas. But you see both names are mentioned here. And in fact later it was Caiaphas who presided over the Sanhedrin Council, their highest court of law. But Annas was the one that took Jesus to first. And the scene before Annas was one where he inquired of Jesus and really began an ugly scene that that culminated in the in the trial before the Sanhedrin Council.

Reading on down in verses nineteen through through about twenty four, the scripture here says the high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world. I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whether the Jews always resort, and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? Ask them which heard me. What have I said unto them? Behold, they know what I said. 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? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil. But if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas, the high priest.

You see, when they brought Jesus before Annas, they first of all seek some means by which they can trap Jesus. Maybe he’ll say some word or do something by which they can make a good charge against him before the council. And so Anna says, Well, tell us about your doctrine. They asked Jesus about his disciples and of his doctrine. But Jesus said, I’ve spoken openly. I’ve kept nothing back. I’ve not spoken in the corner or just secretly, but even there are many witnesses who could testify what I have said. You see the dilemma that the Jews had. They wanted to try Jesus, they wanted to condemn him, they wanted to put him to death, but they really did not have a just cause. They did not have any witnesses who could testify against him, at least honestly.

And Jesus said, Just produce the witness. What have I done, or what have I said that has broken the law? There are no witnesses who can verify that I have broken that law. But when Jesus as much as made this statement, just ask others, and you’ll find out my doctrine. One of the officers standing by smote Jesus with the palm of his hand. He thought it was insolent that Jesus had responded to the high priest thusly. But but Jesus had not spoken evil. He said, In fact, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil. But if well, why smilest thou me? If I have not told the truth, if I have not spoken that which is true, why do you smite me? Well, this earth was scene, that is a prejudicial view and questioning that Annas began, was that which culminated, as we said later, before the Sanhedrin Council.

In fact, we study, not in the Gospel of John, but in the book of Matthew, how that they brought Jesus before that Sanhedrin council. In fact, if you look with me in Matthew chapter twenty six, verses fifty-seven through sixty-eight, the scriptures speak how that early in the morning they took Jesus, said they that laid hold on Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Now the chief priest and the elders and all the council sought false witnesses against Jesus to put him to death. You see, before Annas they couldn’t find a just cause, and so now they’re seeking false witnesses.

But it says they found none. Yea, though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. And at the last came two false witnesses and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days. Of course Jesus had spoken earlier about destroying the temple, but he spoke about his body. Then verse sixty two, the high priest arose and said unto him, Answerst thou nothing. What is it which these witnesses against thee? But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said, Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest went his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Jesus really had not said anything blasphemous, but that was their point of view. Jesus indeed was the Son of God. What Jesus said had been proven by the miracles and the wonders and signs which he had done while on earth. But these Jews had so closed their hearts and their eyes and their ears, that it mattered not what Jesus had said or done, or what he would say or do even now. They had determined that he was guilty, and they sought these false witnesses, and they believed the testimony that was that was misappropriated. They they believed testimony that it was twisted and perverted. And before Annas the high priest and then Caiopus and the Sanhedrin council, they had determined that Jesus was wrong. Actually they were breaking their own law, for it was night time, and it was against the Jewish law that the council should meet in such a gathering as this.

6. Peter Denied the Lord Three Times

But they were determined Christ would be put to death, and the time had come that it would occur. Now one of the sad things about this text is recorded by John concerning Peter. And we skipped over the passages, but let’s go back and pick them up. In chapter 18, beginning in verse 15, the scripture said 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. 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. Then said the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples?

He saith, I am not. 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. The disciple, another disciple, not named here, probably was John, the writer of this of this gospel. It was common throughout the book that he never does name himself. But John, it seems, was known by the high priest, and so when he comes to the palace of the high priest, or to the courtyard of the high priest, there is a maid who knows him and lets him in. And John in turn persists that to allow Peter also to come in, and the maid does, but this is the first of three embarrassing scenes for Peter.

For when she says, Aren’t you one of his disciples? Peter, perhaps maybe with a little bit of stammering and a little bit of frustration and shame, says, I don’t know him. No, I’m not one of them. John does not go into detail about the three times that Peter denied the Lord. He tells only of this first time. And then dropping down in verses twenty-five through twenty-seven, 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. And one of the servants, the high priest, being his kinsman, whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? And then in verse 27, Peter then denied again, and immediately the cot crew.

Conclusion

When we look at Luke chapter 22, verses 54 through 62, we have a more detailed account. Peter followed afar off. Peter denied the Lord three times. Though earlier on the same night, when Jesus had said, All men shall be offended in me, Peter said, Not I, Lord, I would die with thee before I would deny thee. But Peter did deny the Lord. Three times he denied the Lord. But when the cot crew, Peter remembered the words of the Lord, and he went out and wept bitterly. Peter’s faith did not fail, but his courage failed. It might be that there are times where you have denied the Lord, you’ve turned against him. But when you come to yourself like Peter, go out and repent. Do something about it.

Turn back to him. I hope you’ll continue with us as we study later the continuation of this trial of Jesus Christ. Until then, may the grace and peace of our Lord be with you.