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1 When Iesus had spoken these wordes, hee went foorth with his disciples ouer the Brooke Cedron, where was a garden, into the which hee entred and his disciples.
2 And Iudas also which betrayed him, knew the place: for Iesus oft times resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Iudas then hauing receiued a band of men, and officers from the chiefe Priests and Pharisees, commeth thither with lanternes and torches, and weapons.
4 Iesus therefore knowing all things that should come vpon him, went foorth, and sayde vnto them, Whom seeke ye?
5 They answered him, Iesus of Nazareth. Iesus saith vnto them, I am hee. And Iudas also which betraied him, stood with them.
6 Assoone then as he had said vnto them, I am he, they went backeward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked hee them againe, Whom seeke ye? And they said, Iesus of Nazareth.
8 Iesus answered, I haue tolde you that I am he: If therefore ye seeke me, let these goe their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them which thou gauest me, haue I lost none.
10 Then Simon Peter hauing a sword, drewe it, and smote the high Priests seruant, & cut off his right eare: The seruants name was Malchus.
11 Then said Iesus vnto Peter, Put vp thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my father hath giuen me, shall I not drinke it?
12 Then the band and the captaine, and officers of the Iewes, tooke Iesus, and bound him,
13 And led him away to Annas first, (for he was father in law to Caiaphas) which was the high Priest that same yeere.
14 Now Caiaphas was he which gaue counsell to the Iewes, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 ¶ And Simon Peter followed Iesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was knowen vnto the high Priest, and went in with Iesus into the palace of the high Priest.
16 But Peter stood at the doore without. Then went out that other disciple, which was knowen vnto the high Priest, and spake vnto her that kept the doore, and brought in Peter.
17 Then saith the damosell that kept the doore vnto Peter, Art not thou also one of this mans disciples? He sayth, I am not.
18 And the seruants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coales, (for it was colde) and they warmed themselues: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himselfe.
19 ¶ The high Priest then asked Iesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Iesus answered him, I spake openly to the world, I euer taught in the Synagogue, and in the Temple, whither the Iewes alwayes resort, and in secret haue I said nothing:
21 Why askest thou me? Aske them which heard me, what I haue said vnto them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when hee had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by, stroke Iesus with the palme of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the hie priest so?
23 Iesus answered him, If I haue spoken euill, beare witnesse of the euill: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24 Now Annas had sent him bound vnto Caiaphas the high Priest.
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himselfe: They said therefore vnto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? Hee denied it, and said, I am not.
26 One of the seruants of the high Priests (being his kinsman whose eare Peter cut off) saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27 Peter then denied againe, and immediatly the cocke crew.
28 ¶ Then led they Iesus from Caiaphas vnto the hall of Iudgement: And it was earely, and they themselues went not into the Iudgement hall, lest they should be defiled: but that they might eat the Passeouer.
29 Pilate then went out vnto them, and said, What accusation bring you against this man?
30 They answered, & said vnto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not haue deliuered him vp vnto thee.
31 Then saide Pilate vnto them, Take ye him, and iudge him according to your law. The Iewes therefore said vnto him, It is not lawfull for vs to put any man to death:
32 That the saying of Iesus might be fulfilled, which hee spake, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entred into the Iudgement hall againe, and called Iesus, and saide vnto him, Art thou the King of the Iewes?
34 Iesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe? or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Iew? Thine owne nation, and the chiefe Priests haue deliuered thee vnto mee: What hast thou done?
36 Iesus answered, My kingdome is not of this world: if my kingdome were of this world, then would my seruants fight, that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes: but now is my kingdome not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore saide vnto him, Art thou a King then? Iesus answered, Thou saiest that I am a King. To this end was I borne, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should beare witnesse vnto the trueth: euery one that is of the trueth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith vnto him, What is trueth? And when hee had said this, he went out againe vnto the Iewes, and saith vnto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39 But yee haue a custome that I should release vnto you one at the Passeouer: will ye therefore that I release vnto you the king of the Iewes?
40 Then cried they all againe, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
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Commentary for John 18
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Peter Denies Knowing Jesus
Christ taken in the garden. (1-12) Christ before Annas and Caiaphas. (13-27) Christ before Pilate. (28-40)1-12 Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye? When the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch. 6:15|, but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck them down he could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It must have been the effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set us an example of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us; sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighter afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will, or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty; thus the Son makes us free.
13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.
28-32 It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned; crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord, what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.
33-40 Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices laid to him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual, its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used, force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those that are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he said, What is truth? When we search the Scriptures, and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to preserve in their search after truth; or not humility enough to receive it. By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it appears, that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it unfolds the design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins. Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.