John 18 3/14/2017 Betrayal & Injustice REVIEW: Jesus prays for believers Safety while in the world Protection from the evil one Sanctification live changing growth in the word THESE PRAYERS FOR ALL BELIEVERS 20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, JOHN 18 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. John does not record. o The discussion of end times Matthew 24, Luke 21 o The prayer in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39 That the cup might pass Sleepy disciples Historically, David was betrayed as he walked this area crossing the Kidron and up to the Mount of Olives (2 Sam 15:23,30-31) THE BETRAYAL 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, Whom do you seek? John 2:25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. Peter -In Acts o Acts 1:16 Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms, May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it ; and Let another take his office. 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. In the original Greek manuscript he was not written. Jesus, the, simply answered I AM! o But the use here is not certain It could Refer to His deity like in John 8:58...before Abraham was I AM Simply be common use as Jesus was identifying Himself as the one whom they sought o However, the next verse gives us some insight into the Majesty of that moment They drew back and fell to the ground o (same translation ABOUT NOT UPRIGHT IN AV, ESV, NAS, AV Fell / KJV say they went backward and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.
9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one. Jesus protects the disciples by going forward. o There was not going to be a standoff o Jesus does not need the protection of man o And, he told them they would scatter o Peter, then, passionately interferes 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? Jesus rebukes Peter He asks a question that Peter can t possibly answer because it is the doing of the Father o Job 38:4 7 (ESV) 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Jesus heals the servant s ear.essentially removing the offense o Otherwise, as Wiersbe notes: There may have been a fourth cross on the hill. [Handout 12 reasons.] THE ARREST ANNAS AND CAIAPHAS 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. The Romans rotated high priests to prevent any priest from gaining too much power. John reminds the reader of Caiphas unwitting prophecy
The gang goes first to Annas to test the water before they went to the High Priest on record. THE INJUSTICE OF MAN TRYING PERFECT JUSTICE Religious Trials Before Annas John 18-12-14 Before Caiaphas Matthew 26: 57-58 Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 27:1-2 Civil Trials Before Pilate John 18:28-38 Before Herod Luke 23:6-12 Before Pilate John 18:39-19:6 PETER S DENIAL (one denial) 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. ( John?) Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, You also are not one of this man s disciples, are you? He said, I am not. 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The mention of cold evening is what historians say helps them confirm that John was an eyewitness. HIGH PRIEST INTERROGATES JESUS 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Annas first tries to determine if the situation would lead to an insurrection. How much solid support did Jesus have? Jesus invite him to do the ethical thing gather evidence
20 Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said. The answer is an assurance that nothing was done in secret no secret cult or covert intent Obviously the guard hears the answer as insubordination no one tells the boss what to do 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Is that how you answer the high priest? 23 Jesus answered him, If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me? Jesus again invites just response in a lopsided setting. o Bear witness is the invite to produce witnesses o They can t except for liars Surely Annas heard that response but doesn t react Easier to continue the lie to serve their purpose than to even consider search for truth. o Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Without comment he sends him to his son-in-law o Perhaps he understood his simple advisory role. Like a 1 st appearance? 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. This is the second time John mentions that Jesus was bound o What a ludicrous scene.that man could contain the creator of the universe. Admittedly he is now serving as man but it still is a striking scene. THE COCK CROWS (Peter s other two denials) 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, You also are not one of his disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not.
It s interesting that Peter did not remember what Jesus told him after he was so boastful of his allegiance. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, Did I not see you in the garden with him? 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. Denial record in all 4 gospels Only Luke writes And the lord turned and looked at Peter.and he went out and wept bitterly Remember that John doesn t record Jesus appearing before Caiaphas, Herod or the Sanhedrin. o Surely he knew about them seems he is in the midst of the drama. o Instead he focus on the Roman authority that would have final say. Since the Jewish council did not have the legal right to put Jesus to death, the case had to be brought before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate (A.D. 26 36). o Bible Knowledge Commentary notes; The Jews would not enter a Gentile house (in this case the governor s palace), but they could go into the courtyard or under the colonnades. It is ironic that the Jewish leaders were concerned with ritual uncleanness while they planned murder JESUS TAKEN TO PILATE 28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this man? Pilate knows the motivation behind the Jews so he plays a little pollical game with them at Jesus s expense. Jews would not normally turn over one their own to the hated Romans. o Matthew 27:18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 30 They answered him, If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.
A charge of blasphemy a religious charge would be of little interest to Pilate. Roman law did not bother with religious issues.strictly politics. The sovereign plan of God was being played out precisely to His will It was necessary for three reasons for Jesus to be crucified by the Romans at the instigation of the Jews: o to fulfill prophecies..that none of His bones be broken; no stoning o to include both Jews and Gentiles in the collective guilt for the deed o by crucifixion, Jesus was lifted up like the snake in the desert A person under God s curse was to be displayed (hanged) on a tree as a sign of judged sin (Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13). [BKC] The official charges; o subverting the nation, o opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and o claiming to be Christ, a King. 31 Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law. The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. Jews were not permitted to crucify this was a death reserved for the Romans to impose. 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews? TRUTH ABOUT JESUS KINGDOM 34 Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me? Jesus is asking if Pilate has concerns about His being a threat to the Empire and If he come up with th3e idea or did it come from someone else the Jews 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? What a glaring commentary on the spiritual state of the Jews the chosen people that they would deliver the Messiah to judgement
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. Pilate is assured that he doesn t have to muster for a challenge by an earthly kingdom His kingdom is built by faith not violent rebellion but it IS a kingdom o This faith takes one out of Satan s evil kingdom and transfers them to a heavenly kingdom 37 Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. Jesus proclaims a truth that Pilate can t grasp o Born. Have purpose. Speak truth. Calls JESUS OR BARABBAS 38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him. Now Pilate has a conflict to deal with. o Does he have an interest in the truth? Everyone who is of the truth the makes Jesus truth singular The phrase is an invitation to Pilate to weigh where he stands Now that he is confronted with truth he can t embrace it so he withdraws from the drama. He declares that Jesus has not broken any Roman law. But then he plays the political card a move to avert an insurrection and offers the very thing the Jews want to prevent.a free Jesus 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? 40 They cried out again, Not this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.