John 18

John 18:1

WEnt forth,] Out of the Citie, being come out of the house before. See upon Ioh. 14. 31 Cedron,] which was on the East side of the Citie. See a Samuel 15. 23. 1 Kings 15:1-34. ver. 13.

John 18:3

A band,] Namely a company of the Roman Garrison, which lay in the Rocke neere the Temple: and it is likely it was granted by the Governour, for feare least that by reason of Christ, some popular tumult might arise. See Matth. 27. 65.Pharisces,] whither they did come to publike counsells, as expounders of the Law. Or that many of those which were Councellours were of that Sect, as Acts 23:6.

John 18:8

Let these,] a word of command, and likewise of reall hinderance of doing them any harm: A figure and pledge that he would by his being taken set all his free, and by his death bring them to life: and by his sufferances, to everlasting joy.

John 18:9

Might bee fulfilled,] that hee might verifie both in soule and body, the care which hee alwayes had of them according to his words, Iohn 17. 12.

John 18:13

To Annas,] of whom see Luke 3:2.

John 18:28

Unto the hall,] Namely the Roman governours Hall Matth. 27 27 Be defiled,] Namely if they came into a heathen and prophane mans house. See Acts 10. 28. and 11. 3. which was not so peremptorily forbidden by the law: but was observed by à more strict tradition, to shun all manner of forbidden communication and covenant.

John 18:30

If he were not,] this they say, because the Romans suffered the Iewes to live according to their law; and to have the cognizance of crimes according to it: but not to pronounce sentence of death, not much lesse to put it in execution; for that was reserved to their magistrates and governours.

John 18:31

Judge him,] that is to say, I give you leave in this particular case to proceed against him to a capitall sentence. Now the Iewes refuse to doe it, for feare of committing an errour, in a pretended crime of treason, which was beyond the bounds of their ordinary politick government.

John 18:32

That the saying,] Christ would dye by the kinds of plate, because hee had foretold that hee should be put into the hands of the Heathen, and that he should be crucified: a kinde of punishment which the Romans used to inflict; and not the Iewes. See Matthew 20:19. Iohn 12. 32.

John 18:34

Sayest thou this,] this thy question in an ordinary and carnall sense, is most absurd; I having no quality nor appearance of worldly King. In a spirituall and divine sence it is most true but from whence shouldest thou have notice of it?

John 18:35

Am I a lew?] I do not desire to know any thing of the Iewish opinions concerning the Messias or his kingdome: mine office only bindes me, to pronounce sentence for such crimes as are by them adjudged according to their law; and that after sufficient examination of the truth of the fact.

John 18:36

My kingdome,] so Christ affirmes the truth that he was a spirituall King; but denieth the false accusation that he meant to make himselfe a temporall King.

John 18:37

Thou sayest,] see upon Matthew 27:11 To this end,] seeing that I am appointed by God himselfe to teach and declare what I am, I will not faile to do it in thy presence.That is of,] that is enlightned by it, and hath the lively impression and habitude of it by the holy Ghost, and followeth it, and makes profession of it. See 1 Iohn 3. 19.Heareth,] receives it, beleeves it, and learneth it.

John 18:38

What is,] a word of disdaine, as if he should say, of what truth doest thou speak to me?