John 18:1-38, Jews bound Jesus, What is Truth, He is King of Jews.

1. Jesus Gave Himself to be Bound

"John 18:1 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." We saw in the last study that the greatest architect, God the Father, has designed every incident in the life of Jesus. So, this incident is not the plan and plot of Judas Iscariot, but it is the plan of God and of Jesus Christ. Jesus told Judas Iscariot in John 13:27, That thou doest, do quickly. That is, he told Judas to show him to the soldiers of the chief priest, and then he went to the garden to be caught by them. It was the plan of God. Accordingly, Judas brought a band of men and the soldiers. "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. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none." We see that Jesus knowing all things that should come upon him, he went forward to be caught by the soldiers. Yet, Judas also betrayed him, and it was also according to the prophesy. It was not an accident. As soon as Jesus said 'I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground'. This did not happen to prevent the arrest, but it is for the soldiers to know, that he is from God. So, when Jesus told them, 'if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way', they let the disciples go. The soldiers respected the saying of Jesus, because they fell on the ground. Still Jesus allowed them to bind him. Every step was the fulfillment of prophesies, and Jesus was in control. There were a few prophesies about Judas Iscariot, and "Psalm 41:9 says, Yea, mine own familiar friend ... hath lifted up his heel against me." In the prophesy, it was his friend that showed him up. Notice, Jesus calls Judas as friend in Matthew 26:50. It says, "Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?" Jesus called Judas as friend here. Please notice that every incident is fulfillment of prophesies; God has planned all the details meticulously.

2. Jesus was reckoned among transgressors

"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?" This is a strange incident. First, the soldiers were in shock, because they all fell backward. Jesus did not resist the arrest but submitted to them. Peter used the sword, but the soldiers did not retaliate. It is not because the injury was small, but they were in shock. Again, Jesus healed the injured soldier with a miracle. One more point here is that Jesus was the one, who told his disciples to get a sword; that is in Luke 22:37&38; but now he rebuked Peter for using it; why? Because, the prophesy said that he was reckoned among the transgressors, but they were not supposed to fight. If they just had the sword, it is enough to fulfill the prophesy. So, Jesus was particular that he does everything according to prophesies.

3. A statement of high priest became a Prophesy

"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." What Caiaphas said was also a prophesy, since he was the high priest on that year. It is recorded in John 11:49-51. As the high priest, he wants to kill Jesus to save the religious set-up. But he did not know that God has put that in his mouth as a prophesy. It was God's plan. It is a very difficult maneuver for Jesus to fulfill or to accomplish them. It was a tragedy if this sorrowful or disastrous event happened against God's plan. But God did it, so it is not a tragedy. "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." Probably the other disciple was John, the author of the gospel of John, and the beloved of Jesus. It is a puzzle that how was he known to the high priest and had influence with him. It is noticeable that despite the fact he is familiar with him, the high priest did not use John to catch Jesus, instead he used Judas Iscariot, the son of perdition.

4. Peter denied three times knowing Jesus, then cock crow.

In John 13:38, Peter told Jesus that he will give his life for Jesus. Jesus said that Peter will deny knowing him three time before the cock crow. It happened the same way. "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. ... 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." In 17, he denied that he was not his disciple. In 25, he denied the second time. In 27, he denied the third time, and then the cock crow. Even such events happened in the same way that was mentioned. So, even though the crucifixion and death were sad incidents to us, we must realize that these are designed by God, and through these steps Jesus became God, and our Savior. Since a man has become the begotten Son of God and set the precedent for a man to inherit the kingdom of God; if we show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; we will also become the sons of God, and will inherit the kingdom of God. This is the plan of God.

5. Jesus was crucified and died as Passover Lamb.

"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." The high priest did not ask him of his doctrine to learn from him, but to gain more grounds to kill him. "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?" In a way, Jesus tells us that such a reply is not evil in the sight of God, even though the established churches will accuse and punish, if we stand against them. "24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest."... "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." The bible says that Jesus Christ was our passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7. And notice that Jesus was crucified and was dead at the same time as the passover lamb was killed for the passover feast. Further, look at the hypocrisy and irony. The high priest and the Pharisees did not enter the judgment hall of Pilate, in order to keep themselves undefiled to eat the passover, at the feast. But they were there to kill Jesus, the Son of their God, whom they worship. Please look at the expertise of God. God used the priests and Pharisees, to sacrifice the passover lamb Jesus, at the exact time that the passover lamb should be killed. But they have no clue; they did not know or realize what they were doing.

6. Jews want him crucified, fulfilling the Prophesy.

"29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee." That is, just because they brought Jesus to Pilate, is it reason enough to kill Jesus? What kind of reasoning is that? "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:" But their law will allow a man to be stoned to death, but not to be crucified. "32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die." The prophesy is that he will be hanged on a tree, which signifies the cross. And, they also want him to be crucified, without knowing that God was using them to fulfill the prophesy.

7. What is truth? Jesus, the Father, and our Eternal life.

"33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 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." The kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world, so also his gospel. They are of heaven, that is of God. But our present-day gospels are techniques to use God to promote us and our cause in this world. It is religion, but not of God. "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. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?..." Yes, he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What is truth? Jesus is the truth, the Father is the truth, eternal life is the truth, all the rest are temporary and vanity. Our life could be about 100 years, and our youth could be about 70 years. Our life and health here are not sure or true, and it varies every day. Eternal life is permanent, and it is true. It is our inheritance in the kingdom of heaven and it is of God.

Note: If any point needs explanation, OR, if you find an error according to scripture,
Please write to me in the 'Mail Box' below. I will reply promptly. Thanks.