John 18:1-14
Q.1. How did the disciples know about the content of the prayer of Jesus? Where did they go after Christ’s prayer? How did Judas know where to find Jesus? – (Jn.18:1-3 c.f. Jn.17:1)
It is clearly implied that the prayer recorded by John in chapter 17 came at the end of the Upper Room events of foot-washing, and Jesus’ teaching about the coming Holy Spirit (Jn.17:1 & Jn.18:1 c.f. Jn.13:1-16:33; Heb.5:7-9). From there, Jesus and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus agonized over His substitutionary sacrifice. This was recorded by the synoptic Gospel writers but not repeated by John (see Mt.26:36-46; Mk.14:32-42; Lk.22:40-46). This was a place frequented by Jesus and the Twelve, of whom Judas was one. There were no images of Jesus as in news media today. Consequently, someone needed to identify Him. Sadly, those wanting to arrest Jesus went out with swords and clubs. This was out of keeping with the way in which Jesus interacted with people. These swords and clubs would have been useless if Jesus had indeed decided to defend Himself with twelve legions of angels i.e. 72,000 angels (Mt.26:53).
Q.2. Why didn’t Jesus try to escape? How did Jesus identify Himself? How did this impact His captors? – (Jn.18:4-8 c.f. Ex.3:14; Jn.8:59; 10:39; 12:36)
No one arrested Jesus – He offered Himself, because it was the right time (see Jn.18:4 c.f. Jn.8:59; 10:18). However, John recorded a fascinating insight when Jesus uttered the word – “I AM”. Here He clearly identified Himself as deity, when using the name that God called Himself when talking to Moses (see Jn.18:4-5 c.f. Ex.3:14). The significance was not lost by the Jewish arresting officers – So when He said to them, “I AM (He),” they drew back and fell to the ground (Jn.18:6). Though Judas had gone out with a Roman cohort (normally six hundred soldiers), as well as numerous temple guards and officers. He asked that His innocent disciples be given their freedom (see Jn.18:8). Jesus was in total control as even in His arrest He kept fulfilled the prophetic Scriptures (Jn.18:9).
Q.3. How did Jesus protect His disciples? Why did He reject Peter’s attempt to save Him? – (Jn.14:8-14)
He sought to have His disciples released – … “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way” (Jn.18:8). The only one to defend Jesus that night was the courageous Peter. He cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus (see Jn.18:10). Jesus promptly healed the ear of Malchus and rejected any action that would prevent Him from being the Saviour of sinners (see Jn.18:11 c.f. Mt.26:54). The opposition of Jesus to Peter’s actions would have confused him (see Jn.18:11 c.f. Mt.26:51-54). The arresting Roman cohort bound Jesus and took Him to the Jewish high priest. Caiaphas had predicted to the Jews – … that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people (Jn.18:14).