October 24, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – John Chapter 18
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26 One 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?
27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of 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 from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
John Chapter 18 depicts the pivotal events leading to the arrest, interrogation, and condemnation of Jesus. The section begins with Jesus’ prayer and concludes with His handing over to the Romans. Judas’ betrayal, the reactions of the disciples—particularly Peter’s denial—and the interrogation by the high priest and Pilate highlight the drama of the final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion. The chapter illuminates Jesus’ willingness to fulfill the divine plan as He stands before His accusers and the promises of Scripture come to fruition.
Commentary:
John Chapter 18 marks a crucial turning point in the life of Jesus, as it narrates the dramatic events that lead to His crucifixion. The chapter begins with the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas, one of the twelve disciples, becomes the betrayer and leads the guards to Jesus. This moment signifies deep betrayal and simultaneously the fulfillment of the divine plan, which Jesus willingly accepts. The dynamics of the events described in this chapter open up several theological and human perspectives worthy of closer examination.
Firstly, we observe Jesus’ conscious and sovereign attitude toward the forthcoming events. Jesus knows what is coming and shows no fear or hesitation when Judas arrives with the soldiers. This scene emphasizes His determination to fulfill God’s plan. He actively confronts the soldiers, asking whom they seek, and then responds, “I am He,” which carries profound theological resonance. The response echoes God’s self-revelation to Moses in the Old Testament, where God said, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). With these words, Jesus consciously presents Himself as the Messiah and the Son of God.
A remarkable reaction follows Jesus’ statement: the soldiers and servants “stepped back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). This gesture illustrates that even at the moment of His impending arrest, Jesus’ divine authority remains unbroken. The power and majesty of Jesus are so overwhelming that those who come to arrest Him fall down involuntarily. It indicates that the worldly power exercised here is ultimately subject to the power of God.
Peter’s role in this scene is also highly significant. In his impulsive manner, he attempts to defend Jesus by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus. Peter demonstrates his zeal and loyalty, but his action is stopped by Jesus. Jesus urges Peter to put away his sword and reminds him that He must drink the “cup” the Father has given Him (John 18:11). This underscores that Jesus’ suffering and death are not accidents or the result of human decisions but part of the divine plan for humanity’s redemption. In this moment, Jesus shows complete submission to the Father’s will, ready to bear the suffering that lies ahead.
Another important theme in John 18 is Jesus’ interrogation and Peter’s denial. As Jesus is taken and brought before Annas and Caiaphas, the Jewish religious leaders, Peter follows from a distance. Here, we witness the human weakness and fear within Peter’s character. When questioned by the servants if he is a disciple of Jesus, he denies it three times, just as Jesus had previously foretold (John 13:38). Peter, who had been so courageous before, fails in this moment, highlighting the tension between human courage and fear. His denial is a symbolic moment that shows how even the most faithful followers of Jesus can falter in moments of weakness.
Peter’s denial starkly contrasts with Jesus’ demeanor during His interrogation. While Peter denies out of fear, Jesus responds calmly and directly to the high priest’s questions. He emphasizes that He has always taught openly and done nothing in secret. Even when struck by a servant, He does not react aggressively but calmly questions why He is being struck if He has done nothing wrong (John 18:23). This demonstrates Jesus’ integrity and composure in the face of injustice and violence.
The scene with Pilate adds another dimension to the story. Pilate, the Roman governor, finds himself in a difficult position between the demands of the Jewish leaders and his own assessment that Jesus is innocent. The interaction between Jesus and Pilate is profound. When Pilate asks if Jesus is the “King of the Jews,” Jesus responds with an explanation that goes beyond the purely political. He states that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), indicating that Jesus’ kingship is a spiritual reality not comparable to earthly kingdoms. Jesus explains that He has come to testify to the truth, and everyone who is of the truth hears His voice (John 18:37). This statement underscores Jesus’ mission as a witness to divine truth and challenges listeners to decide whether to heed this truth.
Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), is particularly significant. It reflects the skepticism and perhaps confusion of a man caught between political pragmatism and the profound, spiritual truth embodied by Jesus. Although Pilate recognizes that Jesus is innocent, he succumbs to the pressure of the crowd and condemns Jesus to crucifixion. This decision reflects the weakness of worldly power, which often does not serve justice but bends to external circumstances.
At the end of the chapter, we see the crowd demanding the release of the criminal Barabbas instead of Jesus. Barabbas, a murderer and insurrectionist, is favored, while the innocent Jesus is sentenced to execution. This exchange of Barabbas for Jesus can be understood as a symbol of the greater work of redemption: the innocent Jesus takes the place of the guilty to save humanity.
Summary:
In John Chapter 18, Jesus is arrested after being betrayed by Judas and brought before the Jewish high priest and the Roman governor Pilate. Despite the accusations against Him, Jesus remains calm and explains that His kingdom is not of this world. Peter, who follows Him, denies knowing Him three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, yields to the crowd’s demands to release the criminal Barabbas and condemns the innocent Jesus to be crucified.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 72—“In Remembrance of Me”
This chapter is based on Matthew 26:20-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:14-23; John 13:18-30.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction
Chapter 72 deals with one of the most central moments in the life of Jesus and Christian theology: the institution of the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus celebrated with His disciples during the Passover festival. This moment, described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, marks the transition from the Jewish tradition of Passover to a new covenant, symbolized by the bread and wine that Jesus referred to as His body and blood. This act points both to His impending sacrifice on the cross and to the hope of Christ’s return. This chapter describes the profound significance of the Lord’s Supper, the despair of the disciples in the face of the impending betrayal, and the symbolic power of the promise of redemption.
Commentary
In this chapter, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, making it a central rite for His followers. During the Last Passover meal, which traditionally commemorates the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage, Jesus gives the meal a new meaning. He takes the bread and the wine and declares that these elements represent His body and His blood, which are given for the sins of the world. Thus, the Passover, which was a symbol of the Jews’ liberation from physical slavery, is transformed into the Lord’s Supper, which signifies the liberation of humanity from the bondage of sin through Jesus’ death.
The institution of the Lord’s Supper marks the beginning of the “New Covenant,” which is sealed by Jesus’ death and resurrection. This new order replaces the old Jewish law and the ritual sacrifices. Instead, Jesus’ sacrifice and the remembrance thereof take center stage in the believers’ faith life. The chapter makes it clear that the Lord’s Supper is not merely a symbolic act but a means of spiritual strengthening that fosters community with Christ and among the believers themselves.
Judas’ behavior, as he focuses on his betrayal amidst this sacred act, highlights the stark contrast between Jesus’ gracious offer and human sin. Jesus is aware of Judas’ betrayal but continually gives him opportunities to repent, underscoring Jesus’ infinite patience and mercy. Despite the darkness surrounding Judas, the invitation to grace remains open until the last moment.
Another central point in this chapter is the emphasis on spiritual preparation and self-examination before partaking in the Lord’s Supper. Believers are called to participate at the Lord’s table in holiness and reverence. No one is to be excluded from this celebration, but it is necessary for each individual to examine their own heart before partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
Summary
Chapter 72 of the book The Life of Jesus offers a deep reflection on the institution of the Lord’s Supper by Jesus during the Passover festival. Jesus uses this opportunity to explain the bread and wine as symbols of His impending death, which will free humanity from sin. This new celebration replaces the traditional Jewish Passover and marks the beginning of the New Covenant, established through Christ’s sacrifice. The act in which Judas plans to betray Jesus demonstrates the serious consequences of sin and betrayal. At the same time, Jesus demonstrates God’s profound mercy through His patience and offer of grace. The chapter highlights the significance of the Lord’s Supper as a source of spiritual strength and community with Christ and among believers, and emphasizes the necessity of self-examination and preparation before participation. It reminds believers to live in anticipation of Jesus’ return, which is proclaimed in every celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
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