Get Ready
How do you view the legal system in your city or area? Do you consider police officers and judges favorably or unfavorably? Do you think most try to do their jobs fairly and in support of the public good, or do you feel they act arbitrarily and unfairly too often? What leads you to the view you hold?
The Word
18 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?”
5 They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17 The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?”
27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. Where does Jesus go after his prayer? How do you think the disciples are feeling? Why do you suppose the Jews had so many soldiers along to arrest Jesus? Why might they expect trouble?
2. How does Jesus respond to the situation? What do the soldiers do when Jesus comes out to meet them? Why do you think Peter reacted the way he did? How do you think you would have reacted? What is Jesus’ response? Why does Jesus ask about “the cup?”
3. Where do the soldiers take Jesus first? Why would they go to Annas’ first and not directly to the high priest? What does this say about power among the Jewish leaders?
4. What are the disciples doing during this time? How does Peter get into the house? What happens before he goes inside? What supposed danger caused Peter to act as he did?
5. How does Jesus respond to Annas’ questions? What is significant about the question and his response (see notes)? What does Annas finally do with Jesus? Do you think anyone in that room realized the whole “trial” was illegal?
Get Personal
Jesus invited Annas to ask the people what his ministry is about — how do you describe Jesus’s teaching?
Notes . . .
18:1. Kidron Valley — the Greek word means “dark” or “gloomy.”
Olive grove — this is the “garden” of Gethsemane referred to in the other Gospels. Interestingly John neither names the place, nor does he relate Jesus’ agony as he faced the certainty of his death and sacrifice [check Matt 26:36-46, Mark 14:14-42, Luke 22:39-46].
18:3. Roman soldiers and Temple guards — obviously the Jewish leaders have already talked with the Romans about Jesus; and the Romans wanted to keep things under control, just as the Jews have Temple guards to secure their role.
18:8. I AM he — Jesus uses the same Hebrew word as he has before [8:58] – the same name that God gave when Moses asked [Exodus 3:14].
18:10. Slashed — Peter starts well, defending Jesus, but Jesus tells him to refrain. (Luke records that Jesus healed the slave’s ear [Luke 22:50-51].)
18:11. Cup of suffering — the only reference to such a cup in John’s Gospel. The Old Testament used the cup as a symbol of God’s “wrath” [check Ps 75:8; Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15; Ezek 23:31-34].
18:13. Annas . . . Caiaphas — Annas had been the high priest, but when he was removed from the position by the Roman governor, his sons and son-in-law succeeded him. When Jesus was arrested, Caiaphas was the actual high priest. The fact that the Jewish soldiers
took Jesus to Annas first demonstrates that he continued to have great influence.
18:14. Better that one man should die — Caiaphas said this in a meeting of Jewish leaders [11:49-52] – evidently without realizing the irony of his words.
18:15. Another disciple — probably John, which explains how the disciples (and we) know about the “trial” that took place inside the house.
18:17. I am not — this is the first of Peter’s denials that Jesus predicted [13:37]. The irony is that in all three instances Peter was really not in any danger because the questioners were not really in a position to harm him.
18:20. I have spoken openly — Jesus echoes several psalms and prophets with his declaration to Annas: I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. [Ps 40:10]; and I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, “Seek me in chaos.” I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right, [Isa 45:19].
18:21. Why are you asking me? — Jesus reminds Annas that this procedure is contrary to Jewish law, which required at least two witnesses to declare that a charge was accurate or true. The Jews are asking Jesus to testify against himself.
Memory Verse
I ask also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, [17:20].
Next Lesson
Jesus before Pilate — John 18-19
