1Judas betrayeth Jesus: the officers and soldiers at Christ's word fall to the ground: 10Peter cutteth off Malchus' ear: 12Jesus is led bound to Annas and Caiaphas: 15Peter denieth him: 19Jesus is examined by the high priest, and struck by one of the officers: 25Peter denieth him the second and third time: 28Jesus brought before Pilate, and examined, confesseth his kingdom not to be of this world: Pilate testifying his innocence, and offering to release him, the Jews prefer Barabbas.
1WHEN Jesus had spoken thesea words, he 1went forth with his disciples over the brook 2Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
a 2 Sam. 15:23; Mat. 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39.
1 That is, went forward. For that He was already gone out of the house and city, seems to appear from John 14:31. See verse 4.
2 This was a brook, running through a dark valley, between the city of Jerusalem and the mount of Olives, of which mention is made also in 2 Sam. 15:23; 2 Kings 23:6, 12; Jer. 31:40 and elsewhere.
2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes 3resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Namely, departing thither towards the night with His disciples out of the city of Jerusalem, Luke 21:37, where He also sometimes instructed His disciples in private, Mat. 24:3.
3Judasb then, having received 4a band of men and officers 5from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and 6torches and weapons.
b Mat. 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47.
4 Namely, who on the emperor’s behalf used to keep a guard before the temple, and oftentimes to be used for the service of the High Priest. See Mat. 27:65.
5 Gr. out of.
6 Gr. lampades, which signifies also lamps, which used to be furnished with oil, Mat. 25:1, etc.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, 7went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
7 Namely, from the place of the garden where He was to meet them to show that He willingly gave Himself over unto death.
5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and 8fell to the ground.
8 Namely, being smitten down by His Divine power to show that He could easily have escaped their hands if He had wanted.
7Then asked he them 9again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
9 Namely, after they had stood up again.
8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let 10these 11go their way:
10 Namely, My disciples.
11 Namely, without doing them hurt; as they all forsook Him and fled, Mat. 26:56.
912That the saying might be fulfilled, which 13he spake, Ofc them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
12 Namely, He said this; or, this came to pass.
13 Namely, Christ, John 17:12, where He speaks of their safe-keeping unto salvation. But John speaks here of their preservation in this life, seeing for that time the same was also available, and in some sense necessary to their salvation, because of the weakness of their faith. See the like application, Mat. 8:17.
c John 6:39; 10:28; 17:12.
10Then Simond Peter 14having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and 15cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
d Mat. 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50.
14 Namely, as travelers sometimes used to carry swords with them against the highway robbers and other particular violent persons; which is not unlawful in itself, if men keep within the bounds of necessary defense. Yet, Peter here misused his sword against those who were sent by the magistrate, wherefore he was also rebuked for it by Christ. See hereof also Luke 22:38.
15 But Christ healed the same again, Luke 22:51.
11Then said Jesus unto Peter, 16Put up thy sword into the sheath: 17the cupe which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
16 Gr. Cast, that is, put quickly. See the reason hereof, Mat. 26:52.
17 That is, this bitter passion which the Father has laid upon Me, shall I not suffer it? See Mat. 20:22.
e Mat. 20:22; 26:39.
12Then the band and the captain and officers 18of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
18 That is, of the rulers of the Jews, see verse 3.
13Andf led him away to Annasg19first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
f Mat. 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54.
g Luke 3:2.
19 And afterwards to Caiaphas, as appears in verse 24. So that which hereafter follows in the text was not done in the house of Annas, but of Caiaphas.
14Now Caiaphash was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
h John 11:50.
15¶Andi Simon Peter 20followed Jesus, and so did 21another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the 22palace of the high priest.
i Mat. 26:58; Mark 14:54; Luke 22:54.
20 Namely, afar off, towards Caiaphas’ house, Mat. 26:58.
21 Some think that this disciple was John himself. This is not certain.
22 Or, hall.
16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and 23spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
23 Or, said to her that kept the door, namely, that she would let him in.
17Then 24saith the damselj that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
24 Namely, afterwards when she saw him stand by the fire, Luke 22:56.
j young woman, girl, servant*
18And the servants and 25officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was 26cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peterk stood with them, and warmed himself.
25 These seem to have been the ministers of justice, or of the Council of the Jews.
26 Gr. coolness.
k Mat. 26:69; Mark 14:67; Luke 22:55.
19¶The high priest then asked Jesus 27of his disciples, and 28of his doctrine.
27 That is, who they were, how many and to what purpose He gathered disciples; whether it was not to make an uproar and faction.
28 Namely, whether this differed not from the doctrine of Moses; or of the Pharisees.
20Jesus answered him, Il spake openly 29to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews 30always resort; and 31in secret have I said nothing.
l John 7:26.
29 That is, to the multitude of all the people.
30 Others read all the time, and some all.
31 Namely, as they used to do, who would make uproars or deceive the people with false doctrine.
21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struckm Jesus 32with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
m Jer. 20:2; Acts 23:2.
32 Or, a stroke with a stick or rod.
23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, 33bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
33 That is, prove wherein I have spoken ill.
24Now Annasn had 34sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
n Mat. 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54.
34 See verse 13.
25Ando Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. 35They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
o Mat. 26:71; Mark 14:69; Luke 22:58.
35 Namely, they who were there present; which was first begun by a maidservant, verse 17, and afterwards, was done by certain others also. See Mark 14:69.
26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27Peter then denied again: andp immediately the cock 36crew.
p John 13:38.
36 Namely, for the second time towards the approach of the daybreak, Mark 14:72.
28¶Thenq led they Jesus 37from Caiaphas unto the 38hall of judgment: and it was 39early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lestr they should be 40defiled; but that they might eat 41the passover.
q Mat. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66; 23:1.
37 That is, from Caiaphas’ house.
38 Gr. praitorion, which was the dwelling of the governor Pilate, where he also held judgment.
39 Or, in the morning.
r Acts 10:28; 11:3.
40 Namely, according to their common opinion, Acts 10:28, 11:3; for, otherwise we do not read that it was forbidden in the law to go into an heathen’s house.
41 That is, the paschal lamb, which they, while the evening was approaching, would first slay and eat, and which might not be eaten by the unclean, Num. 9:10. The reason hereof see in the annotation at Mat. 26 on verse 20.
29Pilate then went 42out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
42 Namely, outside the judgment house to please them.
30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor,s we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
s criminal, a person who does wrong
31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is 43not lawful for us to put any man to death:
43 Namely, either because they would thereby be unclean and so unsuitable to eat the passover; or, much rather because the power was taken from them by the Romans to punish any man with death, without consent of the Roman governor.
32Thatt the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he 44spake, signifying what death he should die.
t Mat. 20:19; John 12:32.
44 Namely, Mat. 20:19 and elsewhere, to wit, that He would be delivered to the Gentiles, and be scourged and crucified by them; with which kind of death the Romans used to punish those who had committed such crimes whereof Christ was accused, namely, of setting Himself up to be king and of making insurrection.
33Thenu Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
u Mat. 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3.
34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing 45of thyself, or did 46others tell it thee of me?
45 Namely, to be further instructed of Me.
46 Namely, to accuse Me thereof unto you?
35Pilate answered, Am I 47a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
47 Namely, that I, as the Jews, would be desirous to know what concerns the King or Messiah, Whom the Jews expect.
36Jesus answered, Myv kingdom is not 48of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not 49from hence.
v John 6:15; 1 Tim. 6:13.
48 Gr. out of, that is, I am indeed the promised King of the Jews, but that tends not to the disadvantage of the dominion of the Roman Emperor, seeing My Kingdom consists not in a worldly, but in a spiritual power and government.
49 That is, as is the dominion of worldly kings here on earth.
37Pilate therefore said unto him, 50Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, 51Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should 52bear witness unto the truth. Every one 53that is of the truth 54heareth my voice.
50 Or, Art not thou a king then?, or, So thou art a king then.
51 Of this phrase see the annotation at Mat. 26 on verse 25.
52 That is, boldly confess and teach.
53 That is, who is born again by the Word of truth, and consequently loves the saving truth.
54 Namely, willingly, and so that he embraces and believes the same.
38Pilate saith unto him, 55What is truth? And when he had said this, he went 56out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, Iw find in him no 57fault at all.
55 Thus he speaks, not to be instructed by Christ, but as rejecting Christ’s words with contempt.
56 Namely, out of the judgment house, into which he had entered again to examine Christ.
w Mat. 27:24; Luke 23:4.
57 Gr. thing or cause, which would make Him guilty of death.
39But ye have ax custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
x Mat. 27:15; Mark 15:6; Luke 23:17.
40Then cried they all again, saying, Noty this man, but Barabbas. Nowz Barabbas was a 58robber.
y Acts 3:14.
z Mat. 27:16; Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19.
58 Or, highway robber, and a maker of insurrection. Luke 23:25.