John 18

1 Christ goeth with is Disciples into a garden, 2 whither Judas cometh with a band to take him, 4 which band at Christs speech falleth to the Earth. 10 Peter cuts off Malchus ear,for which Christ reproveth him, 12 Christ is taken and brought first to Annas,and from thence to Caiaphas. 15 is followed and afterward denied by Peter. 19 By Caiaphas examined concerning his Disciples and doctrine. 22 Smitten by one of the Servants,whom he rebuketh for it. 25 Is twice more denied by Peter. 28 Brought before Pilate into the judgement house ,who enquireth after his accusation,and would deliver him over to the judgement of the Jews. 33 Pilate enquireth after his Kingdome,which he witnesseth not to be of this world. 38 Pilate declareth him innocent,and would release him 40 But the Jews desire Barabbas.

1. Jesus having said this went out with his Disciples [That is,went foward.For that he was already gone out of the house and City ,seems to appear from John 14:31. see v.4.] over the Brook Cedron,[this was a brook running thorow a dark valley,betwixt the city of Jerusalem,and the mount of Olives,of which mention is made also, 2 Sam.15.23. 2 Kings 23:6,12. Jerem.31.40. and elsewhere]where there was a garden,into which he went and his Disciples.

2. And Judas which betrayed him knew also that place,seeing Jesus had oftentimes assembled there with his Disciples.[Namely,departing thither with his Disciples towards night out of the City of Jerusalem,Luke 21:37.where he also sometimes instructed is Disciples in private,Mat.24.3.]

3. Judas therefore having taken the band (of souldiers) [Namely,who on the Emperors be half used to keep a guard before the Temple,and oftentimes to be used for te service of the high Priest. See Mat.27.65.]and (certain) Officers from [Gr.of] thhe chief Priests and Pharisees,came thither with Lanternes and Torches [Gr. Lampades,which signifies also Lamps which use to be furnished with oyl,Mat.26.1 etc.] and weapons.

4. Jesus therefore knowing all things that should come upon him,went forth,[Namely,from the place of the garden where he was to meet them,to shew that he willingly gave himself over unto death] and said unto them,whom seek ye?

5. They answered him,Jesus the Nazarite,Jesus said unto them I am he .Aud Judas which betrayed him,stood also with him.

6. As therefore he said unto them,I am he,they went backwards, and fell to the Earth.[Namely,being smitten down by his devine power,to shew that he could have easily escaped their hands if he would.]

7. Then asked he them again [Namely,after they were risen again] whom seek ye? And they said Jesus the Nazarite.

8. Jesus answered,I have told you that i am he. If therefore ye seek me ,let these [Namely my Disciples] go their way.[namely,without doing them hurt : as they all forsook him and fled ,Mat.26.56.]

9. That the word might be fulfilled [Namely,he said this : or this came to pass] that he had said,namely,Christ,John 17:12. where he speaks of their keeping unto salvation. But John speaks here of their keeping in this life,seeing for that time the same was also available,and in some sence necessary to their salvation,because of the weakness of their faith. See the like application,Mat.8.17.] of those which thou hast given me,I have lost none.

10. Then Simon Peter having sword [Namely,like as Travellers sometimes used to carry swords with them ,against the high-way-robbers and other particular violent persons :which is not unlawfull in it self,if men keep within the bounds of necessary defence. But Peter here abused his sword against those which were sent by the Magistrate,wherefore he was also by Christ rebuked for it.See hereof also Luke 22:38.] drew the same (out,)and smote the high Priests servant,and cut off his right ear : [but Christ healed the same again, Luke 22:51.]and the name of the servant was Malchus.

11. then said Jesus unto Peter,put thy sword into the ship;[Gr. cast,i.e. put quickly. See the reason hereof,Mat.26.52.]the cup which the Father hath given me [that is,this bitter passion which the Father hath laid upon me,shall I not suffer at,see Mat.20.22.]shall i not drink it?

12. Then the band and the Captain over a thousand ,and the Officers of the Jews [That is,of the Rulers of the Jews ,see v.3.] together,took Jesus and bound him.

13. And led him away,first to Annas [And afterward to Caiaphas as appears v.24. So that that which hereafter followeth in the text was not done in the house of Annas but of Caiaphas] for he was Caiaphas wives Father,who was high Priest the same year,

14. Now Caiaphas was he who had counselled the Jews,that it was profitable that one man should dye for the people.

15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus [Namely,afar off ,towards Caiaphas house,Mat.26.58]and another Disciple,[some think that this Disciple was John himself ; but this is not certain] now this Disciple was known to the high priest,and went with Jesus into the high Priests hall.[or Palace.]

16. And Peter stood without at the .Then the other Disciple which was known to the High Priest,went out, and spake with her that kept the door [Or said to her that kept the door : namely,that she should let him let him in] and brought in Peter.

17. Then the maid-servant which was the door-keeper said unto Peter, [Namely,afterwards when she saw him stand by the fire,Luke 22:56.]art not thou also of this mans Disciples? he said ,I am not.

18. And the servants and the Officers [These seem to have been the Ministers of Justice, of the counsel of the Jews] stood,having made a coal-fire,because it was cold ,[Gr. cold weather] and warmed themselves. Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

19. Then the high Priest asked Jesus of his Disciples:[That is ,who they were,how many,and to what purpose he gathered Disciples : whether it was not to make uproar or faction] and of his doctrine. [namely,that differed not from the doctrine of Moses, or of the Pharisees.]

20. Jesus answered him,I speak only to the world : [That is,to the maltitude of all the people] I taught alwaies in the Synagogue and in the Temple,where the Jews come together from al places : [others read all times ,and some all] and in secret I have spoken nothing ; [namely,as they used to do,which will make uproar or seduce the people with false doctrine.]

21. Why examineth thou me? examine those that heard it,what I have spoken unto them : behold, these know what I said?

22. And as he said this,one of the Officers stood by there,gave Jesus a blow on the cheeks,[Or a stroke with a stick or rod] saying,answerest thou the high Priest so?

23. Jesus answered him ,if I have spoken ill,bear witness of the evill,[That is,shew wherein I have spoken ill] and if well,why smites thou me?

24. (Annas then had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high Priest) [See heretofore v.13.]

25. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself :they said therefore unto him , [Namely,they that were there present : which was first begun by a maid-servant,v.17.and afterwards was done by certain others also.See Mark 14:69.] art not thou also of his disciples? He denied it, and said I am not.

26. One of the Servants of............ Priest,who was of kin to him whose ear Peter had cut off,said,did I not see thee in the garden with him?

27. Peter then denied it again. And immediately the Cock crew.[Namely,the second time towards the approach of the day break,Mark 14. v.72.]

28. Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas [That is,from Caiaphas house] into the judgement house,[Gr. Praitorion,which was the dwelling of the Governour Pilate,where he also held judgement]and it was early in the morning,[or morning season]and they went not into the judgement house,lest they should be defiled,[namely,according to their common opinion,Acts 10:28. and 11.3.for otherwise we read not that it was forbidden in the Law to go into a heathens house] but that they might eat the Passover.[that is,the Paschal lamb which that approaching Evening they should sust slay and eat,and which might not be eaten by the unclean,Numb.9.10. The reason hereof see in the annot. on Mat.26.20.]

29. Pilate therefore went out unto them, [Namely,without the judgement house to pleasure them] and said unto them,what accusation bring ye against this man?

30. They answered and said unto him,if this (man) were not an evil doer,we would not have delivered him over unto thee.

31. Then said Pilate unto them,take ye him,and judge ye him according to your Law. The Jews therefore said unto him,it is not lawfull for us to put any man to death : [Namely,either because they should be unclean and so unfit to eat the passover :or much rather because the power was taken from them by the Romans to punish any man with death,without consent of the Romane Gorvernour.]

32. That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled,which he had said, [Namely,Mat.20.19. and elsewhere,to wit,that he should be delivered over to the Gentiles,and by them be scourged & crucified,with the sort of death the Romans used to punish those that had committed such crimes whereof Christ was accused,namely of setting himself up to be King, and of making insurrection] signifying what manner of death he should dye.

33. Then Pilate went again into the judgement house,and called Jesus, and said unto him,art thou the King of the Jews?

34. Jesus answered him,saist thou this of thy self,[Namely,to be further informed of me] or have others told it thee of me? [namely,to accuse me therof unto thee?]

35. Pilate answered,am I a Jew? [Namely,that I as the Jews should be desirous to know what concern the King or Messias whom the Jews expect] thy people and the chief Priests have delivered thee over unto me : what hast thou done?

36. Jesus answered,my Kingdome is not of this world,[Gr.out of ,i.e. I am indeed promised King of the Jews,but that tends not to the prejudice of the dominion of the Roman Emperour, seeing my Kingdome consisteth not in a worldly,but in a spiritual power and government] if my Kingdome were not of this world,then would my Servants have striven that i had not been delivered over to the Jews : but now my Kingdome is not from hence. [that is,[Like as worldly Kings dominion is here on Earth.]

37. Pilate therefore said unto him , art thou a King then? [Or art not thou a King then? So thou art a King then] Jesus answered,thou saist that I am a King ; [of this phrase see the annot. Mat.26.25.] for this purpose was I born,and for this purpose came I into the world ,that I might give testimony to the truth, [that is,boldly confess and teach] every one that is of the truth [that is, who is born again by the word of truth,and consequently loveth the saving truth] heareth my voice. [namely,willingly,and so that he embraceth and believeth the same.]

38. Pilate said unto him,what is truth? [Thus he speaketh,not to be instructed by Christ but as rejecting Christs words with contempt] And when he had said that,he went forth again unto the Jews,[namely,out of the judgement house into which he had entred again to examine Christ] and said unto them,I find no fault in him. [Gr. thing or cause,which should make him guilty of death.]

39. But ye have a custome that I should release one unto you at the Pass over. Will ye therefore I release unto you the King of the Jews.

40. Then cryed they all again, Saying ,not this (man) but Barabbas : And Barabbas was a murderer. [Or high-way-robber, and a maker of insurrection.]