JOHN LESSON 48


     We will begin this lesson in John 18:1.

     V-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."

     In 1979 when we were in Israel, we were privileged to see this
valley where this brook Kedron (as it is spelled now) is.  It is at
the foot of the garden of Gethsemane.  This garden is full of olive
trees (some believe they were there when Jesus pray ed there).  This
garden was a favorite place of Jesus' to go and pray.  When we were in
Israel, we saw a giant hewn out rock with a large, round stone rolling
around inside.  I asked the guide what it was, and he said a
gethsemane.  On further inquiry, he told me this was used to crush
olives and make olive oil.  This was very interesting to me, since
olive oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit of God.

     V-2, "And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:  for
Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples."

     Judas would have no problem knowing where Jesus would be.  When
Jesus was ministering in Jerusalem, He would go to Gethsemane to spend
the night.  Many times, He prayed all night here.  This was especially
a favorite place for Peter, James, and John to go with Him.

     V-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."

     John, here, has skipped some of the details about how Judas has
gone and made a deal for thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus to
the authorities.  Notice that they came to get Jesus under the cover
of darkness.  They were prepared to use force if necessary, because
they had brought weapons.  Had Jesus not wanted to go with them, these
weapons would have been of no use.  He knew it was the appointed time,
so He put up no fight at all.

     V-4, "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon
him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?"

     Notice here, again, that Jesus was not trying to avoid them.
Jesus knew why they were here.  He, also, knew that this was His
appointed time.  John does not go into detail about Judas kissing
Jesus in betrayal.  I really believe this is because John emphasizes
the fact that Jesus has everything under control.

     V-5, "They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus saith unto
them, I am he.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them."

     Here, again, we see that John, more than any other of the
writers, shows that Jesus is in total control of this situation at all
times.  Notice that Jesus answers them immediately.  We see here a
mention of Judas, but again John does not mention that Judas kissed
Jesus to reveal to the mob which one was Jesus.  This Jesus of
Nazareth means Jesus who lived in Nazareth, not that Jesus was under a
Nazarite vow.

     V-6, "As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went
backward, and fell to the ground."

     These men fell from the power of the Spirit of God.  When Jesus
said, "I am he", the power of this statement made them go backwards.
They were momentarily felled by the power of the Spirit in these
words.  You can easily see from this, that they could not have taken
Jesus, had He not been willing to go.

     V-7, "Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye?  And they said,
Jesus of Nazareth."

     V-8, "Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he:  if therefore
ye seek me, let these go their way:"

     Jesus was trying to protect His followers even to the end.  Jesus
is saying, I am ready to go, leave all of them alone.  He had shown
them just a few moments ago, that they could not take them, if He
didn't want them to.

     V-9, "That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them
which thou gavest me have I lost none."

     Jesus was protecting His own.  No one can take anyone away from
Jesus.  Even when we Christians belong to Jesus, we cannot be taken
away from Jesus.  The devil can attack a Christian, but he cannot
overcome him, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in
the world.  I John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have
overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is
in the world."

     V-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."

     You can see from this, that Simon Peter was ready to fight to the
death for Jesus.  He was against great odds and struck out at the high
priest's servant.  Peter just didn't understand Jesus giving in to
these worldly people.  Peter felt that Jesus would take over as king
of Israel right then.  Peter, being a strong man, could not understand
not fighting back.  Of course, this cutting off of Malchus' ear was to
show even these soldiers who Jesus really was.

     V-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?"

     It is interesting that John did not mention the fact that Jesus
healed Malchus' ear.  This is found in Luke 22:51, "And Jesus answered
and said, Suffer ye thus far.  And he touched his ear, and healed
him." Jesus tells Peter, here, that they are not to fight.  This is
Jesus' time to be taken, and He is willing to suffer for all of
humanity, as He and His Father had planned.

     V-12, "Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews
took Jesus, and bound him,"

     V-13, "And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law
to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year."

     Jesus made no resistance at all, and so they bound Him and took
Him away.  Annas was the lesser court, and Jesus was carried there
first.  It seems Annas was inquired of to see, if really, any charges
should be made.  Really, it was the priests, scribes, and Pharisees
who were accusing Jesus.  This was not civil laws that Jesus was being
charged of breaking.

     V-14, "Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that
it was expedient that one man should die for the people."

     This Caiaphas seemed to know that the Scriptures said one would
die for all the rest, and yet, he does not recognize Jesus as Messiah.

     V-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."

     This other disciple, here, is probably John.  John never speaks
of himself by name in his gospel.  We know that John's gospel sheds
much light on the details of all of this, which further proves that
this other disciple, here, is John.  This palace o f the high priest
was probably occupied by Caiaphas, and Annas possibly had part of the
building, as well.  It was not unusual for a son-in-law to live in the
same place with a father-in-law.

     V-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."

     Many writer believe that John was from a very well to do family.
As we said before, many even believe that the spacious home where the
Last Supper was eaten in the Upper Room, belonged to this family.
That upper room and this abode of Caiaphas' we re not far apart.  It
would be very likely, then, that is why he could come and bring Peter
in.  This is perhaps reading between the lines, but this is probably
the case here.

     V-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."

     This damsel was already aware of the other disciple (possibly
John), and asks Peter if he is not a follower of Jesus.  We see, here,
Peter's first denial.  We spoke before that Peter was ready to fight,
but not give in.  Whatever the reasoning of Peter, he does deny Jesus.

     V-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."

     Right before Easter, it would be cool.  This is usually in April,
which is a cold month.  This is at night, as well, and in April and
May, it is cold at night.  Peter is staying close, but not defending
the Lord for fear he, too, will be captured.

     V-19, "The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of
his doctrine."

     You know the high priest had heard about the 5,000 men who were
fed at one of Jesus' meetings.  The high priest is, perhaps, trying to
find out what they would have to fight, if an uprising of Jesus'
followers takes place.  He should already know Jesus' doctrine.  Jesus
had not hidden to teach.  He had taught in Jerusalem many times.
There really was no secret about Jesus' activity.  They just wanted to
trap Jesus, so they might have something to accuse Him of.

     V-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."

     V-21, "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have
said unto them:  behold, they know what I said."

     Jesus is right.  There had been temple spies at all of the
meetings trying to come up with something they could accuse Him of.
They could not find anything worthy to try Him of.  He only did good;
how could they try Him for that?  Jesus had not hidden from them.  He
had spoken boldly before them, even in the temple.  He really is
saying, ask your spies what I said.  The truth of the matter is that
they have no punishable offense.

                                 Notes
















                           John 48 Questions


1.  What was the name of the brook Jesus crossed?
2.  Where did Jesus go to pray and rest often?
3.  What, besides this garden, is called a gethsemane in Israel?
4.  Who, besides Jesus, knew that He went there often?
5.  Which disciple had betrayed Jesus and brought officers to arrest
    Jesus?
6.  What tells us this was at night?
7.  Why did Jesus come forth and ask, Whom seek ye?
8.  Why did John not go into detail about Judas kissing Jesus to
    betray Him?
9.  What name did they call Jesus?
10. How did Jesus answer the people with Judas?
11. What happened to them when Jesus said, I am he?
12. When Jesus told them who He was, what did He say for them to do
    with the disciples?
13. Who drew his sword?
14. Whose ear did he cut off?
15. What miracle did Jesus do in front of these who came to get Him?
16. What did Jesus say to Peter?
17. Where did they take Jesus?
18. Who was his father-in-law?
19. What had Caiaphas said to the counsel?
20. Who was the other disciple who followed, probably?
21. Why could this other disciple get in?
22. Who asked Peter, art thou Jesus' disciple?
23. What did Peter answer?
24. What two things did the high priest ask Jesus of?
25. Where did Jesus remind them that He had spoken openly?
26. Who should they be asking these questions?


                                 Notes