John 18 Betrayal, Denial, Rejection

John 18 Betrayal, Denial, Rejection Introduction: John 18 recounts Jesus betray by Judas, his denial by Peter, and His rejection by the religious leaders and nation of Israel. The entire Gospel has been building to this point of climax of His ministry. As Jesus moves closer and closer to the cross, He becomes more alone. There is a combined effort to bring Jesus to the cross both demonic and human. In Judas Iscariot, the devil moves against Christ through a betrayal that will deliver Him into the hands of the Roman government on behalf of the nation s religious leaders. Throughout the Gospel I have been highlighting the human and demonic elements that will come together at the cross. So, it should not be surprising in this chapter once again to see the demonic betray working hand in hand with human denial rejection. Peter, one of the closest disciples of the Lord, denies Him three times as Jesus had predicted. We are all familiar with the story. It s interesting though to see that John omits the emotional destruction it brings to Peter in the wake of his denial. I argue that John s omission is due to the fact that John is selecting and arranging his material not simply to tell the story, but at this point for the purpose of showing that even though Jesus was betrayed and denied, He nonetheless was well in control of all these events. Peter s denial is significant, but not to John s point in this section that Jesus is orchestrating all these events to the ultimate goal of death on the cross. By the end of the chapter, Jesus is rejected by the religious leaders who hand Him over to the Roman governor, Pilate. Pilate seems reluctant to become involved in the case once he realizes that Jesus is not staging inciting a rebellion against Caesar. Yet, wanting to mollify the religious leaders during a tense period of national feast, Pilate does not let Jesus go. Instead he offers what appears to be a win-win solution by having the crowd choose between releasing Jesus or the criminal Barabbas. As the people cry for Barabbas, Jesus is finally and completely rejected by the nation. They choose a murderous Son of the Father ( Barabbas in Aramaic) over the Son of God. I. (vs. 1-11) Jesus is betrayed by Judas through the devil. A. (vs. 1-9) Jesus is controlling the events of His arrest. 1. (vs. 4) His control is seen in His coming out to the soldiers knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out 2. (vs. 5) His control is seen in identifying Himself as God I am He (I AM / VEgw, eivmi). 3. (vs. 8-9) His control is seen in protecting His disciples in order to fulfill what He had already spoken (John 6:39; 17:12). Page 1

B. Why is it so important for John to highlight Jesus control at this point in the narrative and at this point in His ministry? 1. His death is somewhat unexpected for the disciples, but necessary for the outworking of God s eternal plan. Remember, even the demons did not fully understand what was about to happen at the cross. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 2. In controlling the events, Jesus was also fulfilling OT prophecy Isaiah 53:7-12 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. C. (vs. 19-11) Not realizing Jesus control over the situation, Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, the high priest s servant. 1. Peter attempts to fight the wrong battle in the wrong way. a) He does not understand Jesus has set these events in motion. b) He does not understand that the battle is not primarily physical. 2. Jesus statement about drinking the cup the Father has given to Him is further evidence that Jesus is in control of these events and that He is willfully surrendering Himself to arrest and ultimately death. D. Interesting to note what John omits Page 2

1. John omits some material that other Gospel writers include: e.g. the fervent prayer of Gethsemane, and the healing of the servant s ear by Jesus. 2. These omissions come because John is selecting his material for a purpose to show that Jesus is willfully surrendering Himself to the authorities and is willfully going to His death. He is firmly in control. *** What do we learn? *** Without doubt, Jesus death is the climactic point of all history to that point. As Jesus approaches the cross, only He is fully aware of all the implications. He stands in a place that looks like total defeat, and yet is about to pull off the greatest victory ever won. In a single blow, He is about to redeem mankind and strike a death blow to the devil and his cosmic insurrection. What we see is that only God has a full and clear perspective on all events. From our finite vantage point, we have limited vision and can only see part, if any, of God s total workings. We face challenges and situations in life that don t always make sense. We face struggles and even apparent defeats and wonder why God has allowed these things to happen. What the Lord is saying to us at every point is, Trust Me! He is asking that we have faith in His control and faith in His outcomes even when it does not look good from our perspective. Eyes of faith look beyond circumstance and gaze into the eyes of the Lord. The trust is not that everything will work out as we think it should, but that the One in whom we trust has it all under His control and that ultimately, everything works together for good. At history s defining moment, when all looked dark and bleak, Jesus clearly sends a message that He is in control of all events including His own betrayal and death. II. (vs. 12-27) Jesus is denied by Peter. A. Denial under pressure 1. Remember that Jesus had already predicted that He would be alone at the cross. John 16:32 But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 2. What is happening in this chapter is the turning away Jesus had anticipate. a) First, He is betrayed by Judas at the devil s prompting. b) Second, He is denied by Peter, His dear disciple. c) Third, He is rejected by the religious leaders and nation. Page 3

Isaiah 53:3 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Psalm 22:6-8 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." 3. Peter s denials come under the pressure of concern for his own life on the night Jesus was betrayed. John skillfully plays out the triple denial by splicing back and forth between the scenes of Jesus trial and Peter s denial. B. Peter s denial 1. (vs. 15-18) Denial #1 a) (vs. 15) Most likely the unnamed disciple with access into the high priest s courtyard was John. b) (vs. 16) "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" begs a negative reply, which Peter gives. 1 2. (vs. 25) Denial #2 3. (vs. 26) Denial #3 then the rooster crows 4. The different Gospels give slightly different accounts of the denials and the rooster crowing. a) The differences concerning the reports of those questioning Peter are easily resolved in understanding that these accusations against Peter are a group activity (Mat. 26:73), so each Gospel author focuses in on one of the people asking Peter if He is with Jesus. [Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57] b) Mark 14:30,72 state that the rooster crowed twice while the other Gospels state that the rooster crowed. This apparent discrepancy is also easy to resolve if the rooster crowed twice, then he crowed. 5. John omits the great emotional stress that this denial caused Peter again, John is choosing His material not simply to tell the story, but to make the point that these events are all under Jesus control as Jesus had already predicted. Therefore, the effect the denial had on Peter is beyond the scope of what John is trying to accomplish. 1 Mh. kai. su. evk tw/n maqhtw/n ei= tou/ avnqrw,pou tou,touè le,gei evkei/noj( Ouvk eivmi,å Page 4

C. Jesus before the high priests 1. (vs. 12-14) Jesus is brought first to Annas, who was the former high priest and father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas. a) Annas sons also became high priests, so it is likely that he still held significant authority in the religious system despite the fact that he was not high priest that year. b) John ties Annas to Caiaphas in order to remind the readers of Caiaphas prior statement/prophecy that it would be expedient for one man to die for the nation (John 11:49-50). The effect of recalling this unintended prophecy is to highlight that Jesus is firmly in control over all these events. 2. (vs. 19-24) Annas is unable to bring a charge against Jesus a) (vs. 19-21) Annas questions Jesus concerning His disciples and teaching. (1) Jesus replies that His teaching is not secret, but a matter of public record. (2) The implication behind Jesus remarks is that He has consistently made the truth known and in plain sight. He is not leading a secret band into heretical teaching or sedition. b) (vs. 22) One of the officials strikes Jesus face. This act would not be allowed in a formal trial, showing that this is an informal inquisition before Annas, and that Annas is not unwilling to bend the rules in order to condemn Jesus. The stark contrast between Annas immorality and Jesus innocence is highlighted through these actions. c) (vs. 23) Jesus again highlights the fact that He is speaking truth. What is happening here is a conflict between Jesus as truth, and the religious leaders as blind to the truth. d) (vs. 24) Annas sends Jesus to Caiaphas. (1) John does not record the conversation with Caiaphas because John simply needs to show the opposition and rejection of the Jewish religious leaders. He will proceed now to tell of Jesus appearance before Pilate. (2) It s possible that Annas and Caiaphas lived closely together and even shared the same courtyard. That would explain Luke 22:61 where Jesus looks at Peter on his third denial. Page 5

Luke 22:61 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." *** What do we learn? *** It s not entirely unexpected to find Jesus betrayed by one possessed of the devil, but it s another thing entirely for Him to be denied by a friend so close as Peter. As Jesus moves closer to the cross, He is more and more alone betrayed by enemies, deserted by friends, and ultimately rejected by the very nation He came to save. Combine this utter rejection with the reality of the Lord s complete control over these events and we gain a clear picture of God s love and grace for us. He chose to go to the cross alone. When the love of everyone had turned away, Jesus still chose to show His love by offering Himself. What a great picture of God s unconditional love for us. As Paul would later write, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) III. (vs. 28-40) Jesus is rejected by the nation of Israel. A. (vs. 28) Jesus is handed over to the Roman governor, Pilate. 1. The Jews did not enter the Roman palace in order to avoid ceremonial uncleanness (Jews were not allowed to enter Gentile homes for it caused a 7- day period of defilement). 2. This uncleanness would come at the time of the Passover and would have disqualified them from the Passover. 3. The religious leaders are unwilling to be ceremonially unclean, but they are not unwilling to have Jesus put to death despite His complete innocence. Their hypocrisy is notable. 4. There is much discussion concerning the dating of the Passover. a) Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover meal at the Last Supper, yet the leaders do not want to defile themselves on the eve of the Passover. b) This discrepancy is best resolved by understanding that there were at least two (maybe even three or four) competing calendars in use by the Jews (c.f. Qumran as well). Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples by one calendar, while the religious leaders were on another calendar, which had the Passover a day later. B. (vs. 29-38) Pilate is unable to find a charge of sedition against Jesus. 1. Pilate s chief concern is to find out if Jesus is staging an uprising against Caesar. Page 6

2. Pilate s secondary concern is to keep the religious leaders content and quiet so as to keep the peace in a very volatile city. He has to address both issues and becomes trapped between the two. 3. (vs. 29-32) Pilate and the religious leaders: Pilate tries to define this matter solely as an issue between Jesus and the religious leaders. a) (vs. 29-30) He asks them for the specific charges, but the religious leaders are unable to bring them. b) (vs. 31) The Jews want Jesus tried by Pilate because they want Him put to death something they cannot readily do under Roman occupation. c) (vs. 32) John makes certain to note that these events are unfolding to fulfill Jesus own words (John 12:32) again showing that He is in control of the events. 4. (vs. 33-38) Pilate and Caesar: Pilate now concerns himself with the paramount issue Is Jesus staging a rebellion against Caesar? a) When Pilate asks Jesus if He is a King, Jesus questions whose idea Pilate reflects his own, or that of the Jews? (1) If Pilate is asking of himself, then the question pertains to whether or not Jesus is trying to overthrow Caesar the answer is No. (2) If Pilate is asking of the Jesus, then the question is whether Jesus is the anticipated Messiah/King the answer is Yes! b) (vs. 36) Jesus acknowledges that He is indeed the Messiah King. c) (vs. 37-38) Pilate rightly understands the distinction. (1) Jesus gives a fuller explanation that His kingdom is not of this world (vs. 36) (2) Jesus explains that He came to bear testimony of the truth the reality of the Father and Son as embodied in Himself. d) (vs. 38a) Pilate questions what is truth? (1) This is not a philosophical question, but a practical one from a man in an impossible situation. (2) In his question, Pilate voices the concern of the entire world. It s this question that Jesus came to answer He is the way, truth, and life. (3) John s recording of this question is very powerful in the text. This Gentile ruler does not know the truth, but needs to discover it through Page 7

Christ. The Jews, on the other hand, are presented with the truth in Jesus Christ, but refuse to believe in Him. e) (vs. 38b) Pilate rightly finds no basis for the charge of sedition, but he is trapped by the religious leaders and his desire to avoid a riot on the eve of the feast of the Passover. C. (vs. 39-40) The nation chooses a murderer over the Son of God. Conclusion: 1. In choosing Barabbas, the people choose a murderer over Jesus. (Mark 15:7) Mark 15:7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 2. Barabbas means Son of the Father in Aramaic don t miss the irony. Jesus is the Son of God. 3. The people choose a murdering Son of the Father over the innocent Son of God who is falsely charged with the very crime for which Barabbas has been found guilty. 4. The nation so rejects Jesus that it willfully receives a murderer while standing by at the murder of the innocent Christ. I have never been able to read through these chapters of Jesus arrest and crucifixion without being profoundly stirred in my heart. As familiar we are with these events, their very power moves our souls. Jesus is betrayed by one who was possessed. That s bad enough. But, then He is denied by one who is closest to Him. Ultimately, He is rejected by the nation of Israel and put to death by the world at the hands of the Romans. Each person played a part each group has bloodstained hands. He was betrayed by the devil, denied by friends, rejected by the Jews, murdered by the Romans. We all put Him to death. But therein lies the mystery. Alone on the cross, the love of God was poured out for mankind. Rejected and despised, He chose to die. As John clearly points out throughout this chapter, Jesus was very much in control of these events, as awful as they were. Jesus understood the impact. Jesus was in control. He went out to the soldier. He turned Himself over. He allowed Himself to die. And in that death, Jesus and only Jesus at that time understood the full implications of His actions. In one stroke He would free the world from the shackles of sin and break the dominion of Satan. The people chose the false Son of the Father in Barabbas. Yet, the true Son of God loved the world so much that He chose to die. Page 8