Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

The Gospel of John

John 18:1–18

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus,

Jesus Before the High Priest &

Peter Denies Jesus

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         After the conversations Jesus has with the disciples (chapters 14, 15, and 16) followed by Jesus’ prayer (chapter 17), they had to have left Jerusalem, crossed the “torrent” of the Kidron, on their way to the Mt. of Olives and a “garden” likely owned by a friend of Jesus, a place where they routinely visited and perhaps camped out.

2.         Judas, knowing where Jesus and the others were headed intercepted them all with a rather large band of armed men. Jesus quickly identified Himself.

3.         Of great unexplained interest, the band of soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” when Jesus spoke. Jesus then requested His disciples be released.

4.         Peter, drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. (Only Luke, 22:51, tells us Jesus healed the man.)

5.         Jesus knows what will follow, the trials, and does not want any further disruptions.

6.         First the armed band take Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas, likely since Annas had been high priest, from 7 to 14 CE and was much respected by the Jews.

7.         It was Caiaphas who earlier, and unwittingly, stated that it was better for one man to die than the whole nation. (John 11:45–53)

8.         Peter, with another disciple, and most probably John, followed the soldiers. This unnamed disciple was known by the high priest and is allowed into the court yard of Annas, who then succeeded in getting Peter inside also.

9.         The servant girl who had been watching the front gate and had admitted John, thought she recognized Peter as a disciple of Jesus. Peter responded, “I am not.” Thus fulfilled what Jesus said in Luke 22:31–34. 10.       Peter remained in the court yard and warmed himself at a fire along with other servants and even some of the arresting band.

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