John 18:1-11
THE BETRAYAL... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BETRAYAL... [ Continue Reading ]
1. ΤΩ͂Ν ΚΈΔΡΩΝ (א3BCLX Origen) is to be preferred to τοῦ Κέδρου (א1D) or Κεδρών (ASΔ). Both τῶν Κέδρων and τοῦ Κεδρών occur in LXX. as various readings (2 Samuel 15:23; 1 Kings 2:37; 1 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 23:6; 2 Kings 23:12): Josephus uses Κεδρῶνος as the genitive of Κεδρών (_A. J._ VIII. i. 5). W... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΠΑΡΑΔΙΔΟΎΣ. _Who_ WAS BETRAYING; he was at that moment at work: his knowing the place disproves the sneer of Celsus, that Jesus went thither to hide and escape. Origen (_Cels_. II. x.) appeals to John 18:4-5 as shewing that He deliberately surrendered Himself. ΣΥΝΉΧΘΗ (literally, ASSEMBLED) sugges... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΟΥ̓͂Ν Ἰ. _Judas_ THEREFORE. It was because he knew that Jesus often went thither that he came hither to take Him. The details which follow are minute and accurate as of an eyewitness. ΤῊΝ ΣΠΕΙ͂ΡΑΝ. THE _band of_ SOLDIERS: this is one part of the company; Roman soldiers sent to prevent ‘an uproar’... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΞΗ͂ΛΘΕΝ ΚΑῚ ΛΈΓΕΙ (BC1D Origen) for ἐξῆλθεν καὶ λέγει (אActs 3). 4. ἘΞΗ͂ΛΘΕΝ. From what? (1) from the shade into the light; (2) from the circle of disciples; (3) from the depth of the garden; (4) from the garden itself. It is impossible to say which of these is right; the last is not contradicted b... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἰ. Τ. ΝΑΖΩΡΑΙ͂ΟΝ. _Jesus_ THE NAZARENE (Matthew 2:23), a rather more contemptuous expression than ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ (John 1:46; Acts 10:38; comp. Matthew 21:11). ‘The Nazarene’ in a contemptuous sense occurs John 19:19; Matthew 26:71; Mark 14:67. It is sometimes used in a neutral sense (Mark 10:47... [ Continue Reading ]
ὩΣ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ΕἾΠΕΝ. WHEN THEREFORE HE SAID; intimating that what followed was the immediate consequence of His words. They fell backwards, recoiling from the majesty of goodness, not forwards in adoration of it. Whether their falling was the natural effect of guilt meeting with absolute innocence, or a... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΆΛΙΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν. _Again_ THEREFORE. Their first onset had been baffled: He Himself gives them another opening. They repeat the terms of their warrant; they have been sent to arrest ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’... [ Continue Reading ]
ἌΦΕΤΕ ΤΟΎΤΟΥΣ ὙΠΆΓΕΙΝ. He is no hireling (John 10:12); His first thought is for the sheep. At first Jesus had gone forward (John 18:4) from His company, as Judas, to give the kiss, from his. Judas has fallen back on his followers, while the disciples gather round Christ. Thus the two bands and two l... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟὛΣ ΔΕΔ. Μ., ΟΥ̓Κ�. _Of those whom Thou_ HAST GIVEN _Me, I_ LOST _not one_. The reference is to John 17:12, and is a strong confirmation of the historical truth of chap. 17. If the prayer were the composition of the Evangelist to set forth in an ideal form Christ’s mental condition at the time, this... [ Continue Reading ]
ὨΤΆΡΙΟΝ (אBC1LX) for ὠτίον (Acts 3D from Matthew 26:51?). 10. Σ. ΟΥ̓͂Ν Π. _Simon Peter_ THEREFORE; because he ‘saw what would follow’ (Luke 22:49). The position of οὖν is remarkable, as if Πέτρος had been added as an after-thought, possibly in allusion to the significance of the name. All four Evang... [ Continue Reading ]
ΒΆΛΕ. See on John 5:7. S. John alone gives the words about the cup: the Synoptists alone (Matthew 26:39, &c.) give the prayer to which they obviously refer. Thus the two accounts confirm one another. Comp. John 2:19; John 12:8; and for the metaphor Psalms 75:8; Psalms 60:3; Job 21:20; Revelation 14:... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ΣΠ. THEREFORE _the band;_ because of S. Peter’s violent attempt at rescue. The ΧΙΛΊΑΡΧΟΣ is the tribune of the Roman cohort. His presence with the detachment shews that the hierarchy had prepared the Romans for serious resistance. Peter’s violence confirms these representations. Jesus the Na... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWISH OR ECCLESIASTICAL TRIALS 12–27. Much space is given in all four Gospels to the Jewish and Roman trials, space apparently disproportionate to the brief account of the Crucifixion. But the two trials illustrate the two great elements of Christ’s Messiahship. By the Sanhedrin He was condemn... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΡῸΣ ἌΝΝΑΝ ΠΡΩ͂ΤΟΝ. The πρῶτον shews that S. John is aware of the subsequent examination before Caiaphas given by the Synoptists. Whether Annas was ‘chief’ of the priests (2 Kings 25:18), or president, or vice-president, of the Sanhedrin, we have no information. Certainly he was one of the most infl... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΟΘΑΝΕΙ͂Ν (אBC1DLX) for ἀπολέσθαι (Acts 3). 14. ΣΥΜΦΈΡΕΙ. See on John 11:50-52. S. John intimates that a trial conducted under such auspices could have but one issue.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἨΚΟΛΟΎΘΕΙ. _Was following;_ the descriptive imperfect. Some good authorities (א3 C) insert ὁ before ἄλλος, but the balance is decidedly against it. There is no very strong reason for rejecting the almost universal opinion that this ἄλλος μαθητής is S. John himself. It agrees with his habitual reserv... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΓΝΩΣΤῸΣ ΤΟΥ͂� (BC1L) for ὃς ἦν γνωστὸς τῷ� (אActs 2 from John 18:15). 16. ΕἹΣΤΉΚΕΙ. WAS STANDING; descriptive imperfect, as in John 18:5; John 18:15; John 18:18. The details again indicate an eyewitness. Female door-keepers were common among the Jews: LXX. in 2 Samuel 4:6; Rhoda, Acts 12:13; Jose... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜῊ ΚΑῚ ΣΎ. ART THOU ALSO (shewing that she knew his companion to be a disciple), or, _surely thou also art not_. see on John 4:29 and comp. John 4:33; John 6:67; John 7:47; John 9:40; where, as here, the μὴ anticipates a _negative_ answer. S. Peter’s denial is thus put into his mouth. ΤΟΎΤΟΥ and the... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἹΣΤΉΚ. ΔῈ ΟἹ Δ. NOW _the servants and_ THE _officers_ WERE STANDING … _and_ WERE WARMING _themselves_. The tribune (John 18:12) has withdrawn his men, having completed the arrest. Only the officials of the Sanhedrin remain, joined now by the household servants of the high-priest. ἈΝΘΡΑΚΙΆ means cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΟΥ̓͂Ν�. The οὖν connects what follows with John 18:13-14. Again we are in doubt as to who is meant by the high-priest (see on John 18:15), but it will be safest to consider that Caiaphas is meant throughout. Neither hypothesis is free from difficulty. If the high-priest here is Caiaphas, the diffi... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΓΏ. With strong emphasis. He answers no questions about His disciples, but bears the brunt alone. Moreover He seems to contrast His openness with the secrecy of His enemies: for ΠΑΡΡΗΣΊΑΙ see on John 7:13, and for ἘΝ ΣΥΝΑΓΩΓΗ͂Ι on John 6:59. ‘I always taught in public places, where all the Jews com... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΡΩΤΑ͂ΙΣ; ἘΡΏΤΗΣΟΝ (אBC1LX) for ἐπερωτᾷς; ἐπερερώτησον (John 18:7). 21. ἼΔΕ ΟΥ̓͂ΤΟΙ. As if implying that they were present and ought to be examined. Witnesses for the defence were heard first. Οὖτοι cannot mean S. Peter and S. John: S. Peter is still outside by the fire. For ἴδε see on John 1:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
ῬΆΠΙΣΜΑ. Elsewhere only John 19:3 and Mark 14:65. Literally, ‘a blow with a _rod_,’ and δέρεις (John 18:23) agrees with this. But ῥάπισμα is also used for ‘a blow with the open hand:’ comp. ῥαπίζειν, Matthew 5:39. In later Greek this meaning prevailed, perhaps exclusively. Christ’s conduct here shew... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸ Κ. ἘΛΆΛΗΣΑ. _If I_ SPAKE _evil_ is perhaps better than _If I have spoken evil_. Like ἐλάλησα in John 18:20 and εἶπον in John 18:21, this seems to refer to Christ’s teaching, about which He is being examined, rather than to His reply to the high-priest. For the construction comp. John 13:14; John... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΈΣΤ. ΟΥ̓͂Ν. The οὖν (see critical note) shews that the remark is not an afterthought. Because the preliminary examination before Annas produced a _primâ facie_ case, but nothing conclusive, _Annas_ THEREFORE _sent Him_ for formal trial to Caiaphas, who had apparently been present during the previo... [ Continue Reading ]
25. The narrative is resumed from John 18:18 : BUT _Simon Peter_ WAS STANDING AND WARMING _himself_. Dramatic contrast: the Lord stands bound; His disciple stands and warms himself. A look of distress on his face, when his Master appears bound as a criminal, and perhaps with the mark of the blow (Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
ΣΥΓΓΕΝΉΣ. How natural that an acquaintance of the high-priest (John 18:15) known to his portress (John 18:16) should know this fact also as well as Malchus’ name (John 18:10). This confirms the ordinary view that the ‘other disciple’ (John 18:15) is the Evangelist himself. This third accusation and... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΆΛΙΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν. _Again_ THEREFORE, because he had denied before and yet another denial had become necessary. S. John, like S. Luke, omits the oaths and curses (Mark 14:71; Matthew 26:73). We may believe that S. Peter himself through S. Mark was the first to include this aggravation of his guilt in the... [ Continue Reading ]
ἌΓΟΥΣΙΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν. THEY LEAD THEREFORE (John 18:3). S. John assumes that his readers know the result of Jesus being taken to Caiaphas (John 18:24): He had been condemned to death; and now His enemies (there is no need to name them) take Him to the Roman governor to get the sentence executed. ἈΠῸ Τ. Κ.... [ Continue Reading ]
28–32. _Outside the Praetorium;_ the Jews claim the execution of the Sanhedrin’s sentence of death, and Pilate refuses it. ΠΡΩΖ. This is rendered ‘morning’ Matthew 16:3; Mark 1:35; Mark 11:20; Mark 13:35; Mark 15:1; the last passage being partly parallel to this. In Mark 13:35 the word stands for th... [ Continue Reading ]
28–19:16. THE ROMAN OR CIVIL TRIAL As already stated, S. John omits both the examination before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin at an irregular time and place, at midnight and at ‘the Booths’ (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65), and also the formal meeting of the Sanhedrin after daybreak in the proper plac... [ Continue Reading ]
29. Insert ἜΞΩ (אBC1LX) after ΠΙΛΆΤΟΣ: ΦΗΣΊΝ (אBC1LX) for εἷπεν (Acts 3 correction to harmonize with ἘΞΗ͂ΛΘΕΝ). 29. ἘΞΗ͂ΛΘΕΝ ΟΥ͂Ν Ὁ Π. ἜΞΩ. Because they would not enter, THEREFORE _Pilate went out to them_. The emphatic position of ἐξῆλθεν and the addition of ἔξω seem to call attention to this Roma... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΚῸΝ ΠΟΙΩ͂Ν (א3BL) for κακοποιός (Acts 3 for simplification; the word perhaps comes from 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 2:14; 1 Peter 3:16; 1 Peter 4:15). We enter now upon the second part of the second main division of the Gospel. The Evangelist having given us the INNER GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST IN HIS LAST... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἾΠΕΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ΑΥ̓ΤΟΙ͂Σ Ὁ Π. Because of their vague accusation. If they will not make a specific charge, he will not deal with the case. Pilate, impressed probably by his wife’s dream (Matthew 27:19) tries in various ways to avoid sentencing Jesus to death. (1) He would have the Jews deal with the case... [ Continue Reading ]
33. Because of the importunity of the Jews (οὗν) Pilate is obliged to investigate further; and being only Procurator, although _cum potestate_, has no Quaestor, but conducts the examination himself. Probably the Roman guards had already brought Jesus inside the Praetorium: Pilate now calls Him befor... [ Continue Reading ]
33–37. _Inside the Praetorium;_ Jesus is privately examined by Pilate, and makes τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν (1 Timothy 6:13).... [ Continue Reading ]
34. Note the solemn brevity of the introductions to John 18:34-36. Jesus demands that the responsibility of making this charge against Him be laid on the right persons. Moreover the meaning of the charge, and therefore the truth of it, would depend on the person making it. In Pilate’s sense He was n... [ Continue Reading ]
35. ‘Is it likely that I, a Roman governor, have any interest in Jewish questions? Am _I_ likely to call Thee King? It was Thine _own_ nation (double article; see next note) that delivered Thee to me. What made them do it?’... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡ Β. Ἡ ἘΜΉ. This emphatic form, ‘the kingdom that is Mine’ (see on John 8:31) prevails throughout the verse. ‘ΥΠΗΡΈΤΑΙ must be rendered ‘servants,’ not ‘officers,’ although there is doubtless an allusion to the officials of the hierarchy (John 18:3; John 18:12; John 18:18; John 18:22; John 7:32; Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓ΚΟΥ͂Ν. Here only in N.T. Combined with the position of σύ it gives a tone of scorn to the question, which is half an exclamation: ‘So then, _Thou_ art a _King_!, We might write οὔκουν and render, ‘Art Thou not then a King?’ or, ‘Thou art not then a King.’ But οὐκοῦν is simpler and is preferred by... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΊ ἘΣΤΙΝ�; Pilate does not ask about ‘_the_ Truth,’ but truth in any particular case. His question does not indicate any serious wish to know what truth really is, nor yet the despairing scepticism of a baffled thinker; nor, on the other hand, is it uttered in a light spirit of ‘jesting’ (as Bacon t... [ Continue Reading ]
38–40. _Outside the Praetorium;_ Pilate pronounces Him innocent and offers to release Him for the Feast: the Jews prefer Barabbas.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΣΥΝΉΘΕΙΑ. Nothing is known of this custom beyond what the Gospels tell us. It may have been a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt. But prisoners were sometimes released at Rome at certain festivals, and it would be quite in harmony with the conciliatory policy of Rome to honour native festivals i... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΚΡΑΎΓΑΣΑΝ. _They_ CRIED OUT THEREFORE _again_: πάντες is of very doubtful authority. S. John has mentioned no previous shout, but, as usual, assumes that his readers know the main facts. Pilate declared Jesus innocent both before and after sending Him to Herod, and in both cases this provoked an ou... [ Continue Reading ]