After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across
the Kidron Valley where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples
entered.
Judas, who betrayed him, also knew of this place, because Jesus had
often met there with his disciples.So Judas took a detachment of soldiers
and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they
came there with lanterns, torches and weapons.
Then Jesus, knowing exactly
what was about to happen to him, went and asked them, “Who is it you
are looking for?”They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “That is
me.” Judas who betrayed him was also standing with them,
6 and when he said
to them, “It is me,” they stepped backward quickly and fell to the ground.
[725] 7 Then he asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the
Nazarene.” 8 Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for
me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the words Jesus had spoken: “I
have not lost one of those You have given me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had
a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.
The slave’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus’ response to Peter was, “Put away
your sword! Am I not to drink the cup which the Father has given me?” 12 Then the detachment of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish leaders’ officers arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they led him to Annas. He was
the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
14 Caiaphas was
the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man
should die for the people. 15 Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, along with another
disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with
Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.
16 But Peter remained standing outside
at the gate. So that other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out
and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.
17 Then
the slave girl, the doorkeeper, said to Peter, “Are you not also one of this
man’s disciples?” He replied, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold. They were standing there
warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them warming himself.
19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his
teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have been speaking openly to the world. I
have always taught in the synagogues and in the temple complex where Jews
congregate, and I have not spoken anything in secret. 21 Why are you
questioning me? Why not question those who heard me speak? They certainly know what I said.” 22 When he said this one of the high priest’s officers standing by slapped Jesus in the face and said, “Is this the way you
answer the high priest?”
23 Jesus replied, “If I have spoken wrongly, give
evidence about the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why are you hitting
me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Now Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. They said to
him, “You are not one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it: “I
am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear
Peter had cut off, said, “I believe I saw you with him in the garden, didn’t I?” 27 Peter then denied it again. And immediately a rooster crowed. 28 Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence, and it
was early morning.[726]
They did not enter the governor’s residence themselves,
because then they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
[727] 29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge are you bringing against this
man?”
30 They answered him, “If this man had not done something wrong we would not
have handed him over to you.”
31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves
and judge him in accordance with your law.” The Jewish leaders responded, “It is not legal
for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was so that Jesus’ words would be
fulfilled when he had announced how he was going to die. 33 Then Pilate went back into his residence, summoned Jesus and asked
him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this
on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?”
35 Pilate replied, “I
am not a Jew, am I? It was your own nation and your chief priests who handed
you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus responded, “My Kingdom does not
belong to or originate from this world-system.[728]
If my Kingdom did belong
to this world-system, my servants would be fighting, so that I would not be
handed over to the Jewish leaders. But as it is, my Kingdom does not have its origin from
this system.” 37 So Pilate asked, “You are a king then?” Jesus replied, “You
rightly say that I am a king. I was born for that very purpose, and I have come
into the world to testify to that truth.[729]
Everyone who belongs to that truth
listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked, “Truth? What is that?” After he had said this, he went back out to
the Jewish leaders and said to them, “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 But you
have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover season. So do
you want me to release the king of the Jews to you?” 40 They shouted back,
“Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
[730]
Commentary
John
[724]
Literally “It is I,” ego eimi. The appearance of this identifying marker should alert readers that
the phrase “ego eimi” on the lips of Jesus does not mean “I am God.” The blind man also identified
himself with the phrase ego eimi — it’s me. Jesus’ constant self-designation is “I am the Messiah,” and
the first occurrence of the phrase ego eimi in John 4:26 establishes its important meaning in John. The
Samaritan lady had referred to the Samaritan expectation of a coming Messiah. Jesus then says, “I, the
one speaking to you, am he” — obviously affirming that he is that expected Messiah.
[725]
Reminding us of the Messianic Psalm 45 where the enemies of the King Messiah fall
backwards in his presence.
[726]
On Friday, the 15
th Nisan.
[727]
That is, take part in the Passover week celebrations. The Passover meal when the lamb was
eaten had taken place already. Jesus had eaten the Passover with the disciples the evening before.
[728]
This one saying has given some an excuse to eliminate the whole Messianic hope of the future
Kingdom of God on a renewed earth when Jesus comes back! Jesus’ point is about the origin of the
Kingdom. Its location will be on earth from the time of the Parousia.
[729]
Jesus stated in Luke 4:43 that his entire mission was to announce the Gospel about the
Kingdom of God, which includes of course his own kingship in that Kingdom.
[730]
Probably what we would call a freedom fighter, and a threat to the Romans.
John