Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 18 of the book of John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
18 – Portrait of peace.
18:1 – Kidron Valley – Jesus walked through the valley of the shadow of death.
18:2 – Judas had lived with Jesus and knew his habits. Perhaps they had done the same thing last year after sharing the Passover meal?
18:3-11 – See Matthew 27:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from these passages? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:3 – approximately 600 men.
With this many men, why did they need weapons? Even if Jesus and the disciples resisted arrest, they could have overpowered them. Still, an angry mob carries weapons.
18:4 – Jesus knew what was going to happen. I can’t get beyond this phrase without choking up. Notice that He forced them to say Who they wanted.
18:5-8 – NIV says “I am he” but the actual translation is “I AM” – Jesus is claiming to be God again, which is why they drew back and fell to the ground in verse 6!
18:5 – What is the possible significance of scripture saying that Judas was with them when they answered that they wanted Jesus of Nazareth?
18:6 – What a picture! These men hit the dirt when Jesus identified Himself by the name God called Himself: IAM.
18:7 – Why might Jesus have asked again who this mob wanted? And why might they answer again when they already knew it was Him?
18:8 – Jesus was protecting His disciples by asking the mob to let them go since they came for Him.
18:9 – This verse leads me to believe that the Father never gave Judas to Jesus.
That protection fulfilled what was said in John 6:39.
18:10 – Peter drew a sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, one of the high priest’s servants. Why is it significant to mention it was the right ear? Why do we need to know that his name was Malchus?
18:11 – Jesus commanded Peter to put the sword away, stating that He would drink the Father’s cup/do the Father’s will. It’s rather miraculous that this ended as amicably as it did. If you recall, this mob had lanterns and torches and weapons. Someone could have taken Peter out for assaulting one of them. But Jesus would not lose one of those given to Him by the Father. Remember verse 9?
18:12-14 – First illegal trial takes place before Annas – Held at night, no specific charges, prejudice, violence.
18:12-13 - See Matthew 26:57. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from this passage? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:12 – The soldiers arrested Jesus.
18:13 – Annas was High Priest before being deposed by the Romans. Some still regarded him as the true High Priest. This explains why he is referred to as such in verses 19 and 22. It also may explain some issues in the relationship with his son-in-law, Caiaphas, who held the title of High Priest at this time.
18:15 – another disciple – John.
18:16-18 – See Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:53-57. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from these passages? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:16-18, 25-27 – After Peter’s denial, it must have been a very long three days before Peter was able to apologize. Guilt would have eaten away at him. Praise God, Peter’s faith was a bit stronger than Judas’ or there may have been two pairs of sandals hanging from that tree. But Peter persevered, and was able to be restored by Christ (see John 21:15-25). Maybe Peter’s realization of Christ’s prediction of his own denial brought forth everything Christ said about how he would die, and this wasn’t a period of guilt for Peter at all, but anticipation of Christ’s resurrection.
18:19-24 – we have this account recorded because John was an eye witness. See 18:15.
This is a continuation of the first illegal trial (see 18:12-14) – held at night, false witnesses, prejudice, violence.
See Matthew 26:59-68; Mark 14:55-65; Luke 22:63-71. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from these passages? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:19 – The high priest spoken of in this verse is Annas.
18:24 – Jesus was sent to Caiaphas for His second illegal trial. This trial evolved into the third illegal inquest before the Sanhedrin.
18:25-27 – See Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-62. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from these passages? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:28-40 – see Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7.
The fourth illegal trial is held before Pilate – Christ kept under arrest after being found innocent, no defense attorney, violence. This took place early in the morning.
18:29-40 – See Matthew 27:11-18, 20-23; Mark 15:2-15; Luke 23:2-3, 18-25. What similarities exist in these parallel accounts? What additional information do you glean from these passages? What does this tell you about the perspective of the writer, John? How does this knowledge enhance your understanding of the event?
18:30 – What charges were brought against Jesus? Read Luke 23:1-2.
18:33-37 – If Pilate were really listening, what would he have learned about Jesus during this interview? What could that knowledge have done for him?
18:38-40 – Somewhere in here, the fifth illegal trial before Herod took place. See Luke 23:1-25.
18:38 – Even though Jesus claims to be a king, Pilate finds no basis for a charge against Him. So, he sends Jesus to Herod in the hopes that Herod will take responsibility for putting Jesus to death out of a threat to his own throne.
• The book of John is called the “Love Gospel”. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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