John Chapter 18
John in his writing gives us a few more details regarding the arrest of Jesus than the other gospel accounts did. One such detail is that Jesus immediately told the arresting mob that He was the one they had come for. In every line He spoke in the moments leading to Jesus’ crucifixion and even when being arrested, we find that Jesus was willing to die. Jesus had done nothing wrong but was willing to be the sacrifice for our sins.
Verse 1 tells us that Jesus and his disciples crossed the brook Kidron as they went to the garden. This small stream was the drainage from the temple and would have had a tint of red from the blood of the Passover lambs that had been sacrificed. This would have been a reminder to Him of what was about to take place.
Let's Reflect
1. It was in the garden where Judas led the mob to find Jesus, a place where he knew Jesus often went. John is making the point that Jesus was not trying to hide from them. What sort of men were they?
2. Jesus was the one who asked the question “Whom do you seek?” They answered “Jesus of Nazareth.” Then Jesus did something really awesome – He showed a bit of His majesty. He spoke the words, “I am he” [ego eimi – meaning “I am”] and what happened?
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
3. On the second declaration of Jesus stating, “I am he,” did the men fall back a second time? Jesus was in control of the whole situation.
4. We learn in this passage that Simon Peter had a sword and he tried to stop this arrest by doing what? And what did Jesus say to Peter about this?
5. They first took him to the Annas and then to his son-in-law Caiaphas the same high priest who had previously said what?
6. We are very familiar with the account of Peter following behind the arresting men to see what would happen to Jesus. But there was another disciple who also followed the procession. He is not named. Who do you think he was? See verse 15.
7. When the high priest questioned Jesus about His teachings how did Jesus respond?
8. The high priest held a lot of power and the answer that Jesus gave was deemed disrespectful and for that they did what to Him?
9. After being interrogated by the high priests, Jesus was taken to a Roman governor called Pilate. What was the reason for taking Him to a Roman official?
10. Pilate did not find Jesus guilty of anything. But He did question Him on whether or not He had said He was the king of the Jews. What did Jesus say about His kingdom?
Devotionals
