John 18
Jesus completes His
mission
John 18: 1-5
18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron
Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there
with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and
some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches,
lanterns and weapons.
2
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
The officials are member of the temple guards; they were given authority by the
religious authority to arrest minor infraction. Some of the Roman soldier may be in
the scene but only to make sure that the arrest won’t get out of control
John 18: 1-5
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who
is it you want?”5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas
the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew
back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of
Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for
me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would
be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]
4

The officials are member of the temple guards; they were given authority by the
religious authority to arrest minor infraction. Some of the Roman soldier may be in
the scene but only to make sure that the arrest won’t get out of control

18:6 – The men may have startled by the boldness of Jesus’ question, or by the
words of “I am He”, a declaration of His divinity (Exodus 3:14). Or perhaps they
were overcome by His obvious power and authority.
John 18: 1-5
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting
off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your
sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 12 Then the detachment of
soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and
brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one
man died for the people.
18:10,11 – Trying to protect Jesus, Peter pulled the sword and wounded the ear of the high priest servant. But Jesus told
Peter to put away the sword to allow God’s plan to unfold.
18:11 – Cup means suffering, isolation and death that the Lord will have to endure to atone the sins of the world.
18:12,13 – Jesus was immediately taken to the high priest residence, even though in the middle of the night. The religious
leaders were in a hurry – they want to complete the execution before the Sabbath begins and get over with the Passover
celebration.
18:13 – Both Annas and Caiaphas were High Priest. But Caiaphas was deposed by the Roman authority. But according to
Jewish law, High priest position are held for life. Even though Annas retained the authority of being the high priest,
Caiaphas still made the decision in that court Both Annas and Caiaphas cared so much about the political ambition they
held. They thought that they were leading the people to God. So much also with current religious system of this world,
some pastors, priest and elders should be more sensitive with God’s voice and revelation. If both Annas and Caiaphas have
believed that Jesus is the coming Messiah, they should have pointed the people to Him.
1st Reflection
At time it is very tempting to put our destiny into
our own hands and force the issue the way we
want. Most often time this leads to sin. Instead
put your trust into the Lord and let God’s plan
unveil into your life.
If Peter had his way, Jesus would not have come
to the cross and God’s plan of redemption will be
aborted. In fact, Jesus healed the ear of the man
to make the plan of the Lord fulfilled.
2nd Reflection
When pursuing your own selfish agenda,
be reminded that even Caiaphas and
Annas thought of doing evil just to
accomplish their goal. They have been
manipulated by the works of the evil
one.
The 3 main enemy of God, Lust of the
Flesh, Lust of the Eyes and Pride of
Life.
John 18: 1-5
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was
known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but
Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high
priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17
“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I
am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had
made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

18:15:16 – The other disciple is probably John the author of the gospel. He knew the
high priest and identified himself to the girl at the door. Because of his connection,
John got himself and Peter at the courtyard. But Peter refused to be identified
himself as Jesus’ follower. Peter experience in the next few hours would change his
life.
John 18: 1-5
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or
at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why
question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus
said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you
answer the high priest?” he demanded. 23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied,
“testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then
Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
 18:19 – During the night, Jesus had a pre-trial hearing before Annas prior to being
taken to Caiaphas and the entire Sanhedrin. The religious leaders knew they have no
grounds for charging Jesus, so they tried to build evidence against him using false
witnesses
John 18: 1-5
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So
they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied
it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of
the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you
with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a
rooster began to crow.
18:22-27 – We can easily blame the Sanhedrin for the injustice in condemning
Jesus, but we must remember that Peter, John and the rest of the disciples also
contributed to Jesus’ pain by deserting and disowning him.
 18:25 – The other 3 gospels, 3 times did Peter denied Jesus
 18:25-27 – Imagine standing outside while Jesus, your Lord and Master, is
questioned. Imagine watching this man, whom you have come to believe is the
long-awaited Messiah, being abused and beaten to death. Naturally, Peter is
confused and afraid. It is a serious sin to deny Christ but Jesus forgave Peter.

3rd Reflection
While most of us are not like the religious
leaders, we are like the disciples, for all
of us are guilty of denying that Jesus is
Lord in the vital areas of our lives or of
keeping secret identity as believers in
times of pressure. Do not point others
sins whom you think is worse than yours,
instead come to Jesus for the forgiveness
and healing of your sins
4th Reflection
No sin is too great for Jesus not to
forgive. What Jesus is asking a true
repentant heart. Even your worse sin,
Jesus can pardon if you turn away from it
and ask for forgiveness
John 18: 1-5
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman
governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did
not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate
came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” 30 “If
he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
18:28 – Jewish law states that a gentile house is unclean. So whenever a Jewish comes into the
house of a gentile, he is ceremonially unclean. As a result, the Jewish leaders cannot
participate in the festival not until they are restored in their cleanliness state. Afraid of being
defiled, they waited outside the house of the Roman Official to take Jesus for trial.
18:29 – This Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, was in charge of Judea, AD 26 to 36. Pilate was
unpopular with the Jews because he raided temple treasuries for building an aqueduct. But
Jesus who was called King of the Jews stood and Pilate found him innocent.
18:30 – Pilate knew that Jewish leaders are envious of what Jesus but they did not want to act
as the executioner. They cannot put an end of the life of a person since the Roman
Government is the only authority who can do life ending punishment. Pilate refuses to end
Jesus life. Jesus’ life became a pawn in the political power struggle
John 18: 1-5
31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But
we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to
fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. 33
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked,
“or did others talk to you about me?”
18:31 Pilate made a deal with Jesus 1. He tried to put the responsibility to someone
else 2. He tried to find an escape to release Jesus 3. He tried to compromise by
flogging Jesus instead of having Jesus die on crucifixion 4. He tried to appeal to the
sympathy of the accuser. Everyone has to decide what to do with Jesus. Pilate tried
to let everyone decide for him.
18:34 – If Pilate was asking this question in his role as the Roman governor, he
would have been inquiring whether Jesus was setting up a rebel government. But
Jews were using the word king to mean their religious ruler, the Messiah. Israel was
a captive nation, under the authority of the roman government. Rival king may
threaten Rome: A Messiah could have been a purely religious leader
John 18: 1-5
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it
you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to
prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a
king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and
came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is
truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis
for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of
the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” 40 They shouted back, “No, not him!
Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
18:36,37 – Pilate was cynical; he thought that all truth is relative. To many of the
government official, truth was based on the Majority of people agreed with or
whatever helps in the advancement of their own interest.
18:40 Barabbas was a rebel against Rome and although he had committed murder, he
was among the heroes of the Jews. Jews hated the Roman government because they
pay taxes to the despised government. Barabbas, who lead the rebellion and failed,
was release instead of Jesus. The only one who can truly save the people of Israel from
the slavery of sin and death.
5th Reflection
When there is no standard of truth, there
is no basis of right or wrong. Justice
becomes whatever works or whatever
help those in power. In Jesus and His
word we have a standard for truth and
for our moral behavior