ST JOHN
	CHAPTER 18
	
		Jesus is betrayed and arrested—He is examined and maltreated first before Annas, then before Caiaphas—Peter denies knowing who Jesus is—Jesus is arraigned before Pilate.
	
	
		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.
	
	
	
	
	
		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?
  [ Or put the sword away, do you not want me to finish the work that the Father sent me here to do?  This is a direct reference to the jewish wedding traditions. In which after the marriage contract was arranged by the father's, after the bride price was established, after the bridegroom gave the bride to be a generous gift, the bridegroom would sit down with the bride to be and poor a glass of wine(symbolic of blood). Then the bride would have 30 seconds to decide whether to drink the glass of wine or not. To drink the cup meant that she accepted all of the covenants (the marriage agreements) and was ready to become bethrothed, if she did not drink within that 30 seconds the bridegroom would simple leave never to be seen of again. So the Savior is a few words is saying that don't you want me to drink of the cup, or accept the covenant relationship that my Father has put into covenant. If she did drink then they were considered married. At that point the groom would often recite the formal statement "Thou art set apart(consecrated) for me according to the law of Moses and Israel". ] 
	
	
	
		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.
	
	
	
		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?
	
	
	
		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?
	
	
	
		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.
	
	
	
		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?
	
	
	
		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.
  [ Everyone that wants to hear him will be able to hear him and those seeking to do so will understand the truth. Truth is in the scriptures, truth is in his voice. Or those who do not want to hear my voice will reject me, and they will reject the scriptures. ] 
	
	
		38 Pilate saith unto him,   What is truth?    [ This was the big question of the day. Why? Because you had Roman philosopher's and Greek philosopher's, all kinds who were declaring the truth. so What is it and where do I find it? Today we kind of build our truths off of what a person thinks or feels - their emotions. So Pilate is just putting forth the question that everyone is asking.  ]  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.
  [  Pilate trys to release Christ 4 times, but the Jews will not have it. ] 
	
	
		39 But   ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover:   [ This is your custom at this time of year (we are in the spring time), I find no reason to keep him so I will just release him.  ]  will ye therefore that   I release unto you the King of the Jews?
  [ Substitute sacrifice. ] 
	
	
		40 Then cried they all again, saying,   Not this man,   [ They wanted to get Christ out of the way. ]  but   Barabbas.   [  Bar (son of)-abba(Father - Papa) means son of the father. So we have a word play here The one being sacrificed is really the son of the Father and the other being let go is named son of the father. ]   Now Barabbas was a robber.