John 18:12-27
Lesson 209
Lesson 209
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John 18:12-27
Preliminary hearing 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 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. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 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? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 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? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. |
Margin notes:
"Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus." (18:12) - Jesus is arrested, just as prophesized in the Old Testament. "Annas." (18:13) - The Jewish high priest for nine years (AD 6-15) until the Romans deposed him. Many Jews resented Roman interference in their religious affairs and still considered Annas the rightful high priest. After being removed from office, he continued to hold lesser positions (Acts 4:6), and four of his sons went on to become high priest after him. As revealed in this verse, Annas' daughter married his successor, Joseph Caiaphas. "Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." (18:14) - Caiaphas feared that if they didn't silence Jesus, the Romans would punish all Jews. To save themselves, he was willing to kill Jesus (11:48-50). "Another disciple." (18:15) - Most Bible scholars agree this unnamed disciple is John, the author of this Gospel. "Peter stood at the door without." (18:16) - "Peter stood outside at the door." "The damsel that kept the door." (18:17) - In Jesus' day, women were often hired as doorkeepers. "His doctrine." (18:19) - "His teaching." "I ever taught in the synagogue." (18:20) - "I frequently taught in the synagogue." Jesus didn't hide when teaching. He taught in front of large crowds and even preached at the Temple. "Whither the Jews always resort." (18:20) - "Where the Jews come together." "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me." (18:21) - According to Jewish law, the accused had legal protection against self-incrimination. As Jesus suggests, Annas should have been questioning the witnesses. "Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil." (18:23) - Jesus is asking where the witnesses are that accuse Him. Since there were none, the council looked for false witnesses (Matthew 26:59-60; Mark 14:55-56). "Why smitest thou me?" (18:23) - Means "why do you hit me." It is well documented that Jesus was hit and beaten (Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-64; John 19:3). "Being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off." (18:26) - "Being a relative of the man (Malchus) whose ear Peter cut off." See John 18:10 (lesson 208). "Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew." (18:27) - Just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38). Don't be hard on Peter for denying Christ. He was no Scaramouch. An hour earlier, Peter had drawn a sword trying to singlehandedly fend off the mob that came to arrest Jesus (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50; John 18:10). |