John 18:1-40
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.
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.
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?
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.a
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.
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.
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.
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:
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
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.
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? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
John tells the Good News about Jesus
Gospel of John
Marion Adams
Chapter 18
Judas *betrays Jesus 18:1-11
v1 After Jesus had said this prayer, he left with his *disciples. They crossed the valley called Kidron Valley. They entered a garden. v2 Jesus had gone there many times with his *disciples. So Judas knew about this garden. Judas had agreed to *betray Jesus. v3 So Judas went to the garden. He took with him a group of *Roman soldiers and some guards from the *Temple. The chief priests and the *Pharisees sent them. They carried torches, lamps and weapons (objects, like swords and knives, that people use to hurt other people).
v4 Jesus knew about everything that would happen to him soon. But he stepped forward. He asked, ‘Whom are you looking for?’
v5 ‘We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth’, they answered.
‘I am (Jesus)’, said Jesus.
Judas, who *betrayed Jesus, was standing there with them. v6 When Jesus said these words, they all moved back. They fell onto the ground.
v7 Jesus asked again, ‘Whom are you looking for?’
‘We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth’, they said again.
v8 ‘I am Jesus. I have told this to you already’, said Jesus. ‘I am the man whom you are looking for. So let these other men go.’
v9 (Jesus had said before, ‘*Father! I have not lost even one of those that you gave to me.’)
v10 Simon Peter had a sword. He took it out. And he cut off the right ear of Malchus, the *High Priest’s servant.
v11 Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put away your sword! I must drink from the cup that the *Father has given to me.’ [See note.]
Verses 1-2 Then Jesus took his *disciples to a garden where there were *olive trees. They often went to this garden when they were in *Jerusalem. They probably went there when Jesus wanted to speak to them in private.
Verse 3 The *Romans ruled the *Jews. But they allowed the *Jews to arrest people because of minor crimes. So Judas brought guards from the *Temple to arrest Jesus. Probably, the *Roman soldiers came with the guards to help them if they had trouble.
Verse 4 Jesus knew that the guards had come to arrest him. He did not try to escape. He knew that soon he would die. But still he stepped forward to meet the guards. This showed that it was his choice to die. It seemed that he had no control over the situation. But, in fact, he was controlling events. These events were in God’s plan to *save people from their *sins.
Verses 5-7 Jesus said, ‘I am (Jesus).’ Actually, the word ‘Jesus’ is not there in the *Greek language. Jesus said ‘I am.’ These words had a strange effect on the guards and soldiers. They moved back and then they fell on the ground! Perhaps God’s power made this happen because Jesus was using God’s special name again. God’s special name was ‘I am’. He was saying in public that he really was God (see note on John 6:35).
Verses 8-9 Jesus told the guards to let his *disciples go free. Jesus died so that we can be free from the results of our *sins. His words remind us about this. He took the punishment for our *sins on our behalf. The *Gospel reminds us about the words of *prophecy that he had spoken earlier (John 6:39 and John 17:12).
Verse 10 Simon Peter tried to protect Jesus. He attacked the *High Priest’s servant with a sword. But Jesus did not want this. Peter was trying to stop God’s plan, although he did not realise this. Also, Peter had hurt somebody on purpose. Peter’s behaviour was wrong. So Jesus told him to put away his sword. (Luke’s *Gospel tells us that then Jesus cured the servant’s ear, Luke 22:51.)
‘I must drink from the cup that the *Father has given to me’ (verse 11). The ‘cup’ was a *symbol. It referred to all the pain that Jesus had to suffer. He had to suffer so that he could *save us.
The soldiers take Jesus to Annas 18:12-14
v12 Then the *Roman soldiers, their leader, and the guards from the *Temple arrested Jesus. They bound him. v13 Firstly, they took him to Annas. Annas was the father of Caiaphas’ wife. Caiaphas was the *High Priest during that year. v14 Caiaphas had advised the *Jewish leaders what to do about Jesus. Caiaphas had told them that it was better for one man to die on behalf of all the people.
Verses 12-14 Immediately, the soldiers and the guards took Jesus to the *High Priest’s home. The *Jewish leaders were in a hurry. They wanted to *execute Jesus quickly, before the *Sabbath. But firstly, the *High Priest had to say that Jesus was guilty.
Annas had been the *High Priest before Caiaphas. So many *Jews considered that he had the same authority still as a *High Priest.
Simon Peter says that he does not know Jesus 18:15-18
v15 Simon Peter and another *disciple followed Jesus. The *High Priest knew the other *disciple. Because of this, the other *disciple was able to enter the yard outside the *High Priest’s home. So this *disciple went in as Jesus entered. v16 But Peter had to wait outside the yard, by the gate. So the other *disciple, whom the *High Priest knew, came out again. He spoke to the woman who was on duty. She was guarding the gate. She let Peter enter the yard. v17 But she asked him, ‘Are you one of Jesus’ *disciples?’
Peter answered, ‘No, I am not.’
v18 It was cold. The servants and the guards had made a fire. They were standing near to it in order to keep themselves warm. Peter stood with them in order to warm himself.
Verses 15-17 Some experts think that the other *disciple was John, the author of this *Gospel. Other experts think that it was a different person. Perhaps he was a *follower from *Jerusalem rather than from *Galilee. However, this *disciple knew the *High Priest. And so he was able to enter the yard of the *High Priest’s home.
The woman who was guarding the gate probably knew this *disciple, too. So she allowed Peter to enter with him.
Verse 18 But she recognised Peter as one of Jesus’ *disciples. Peter denied this. The leaders had arrested Jesus already. They would want to arrest his *followers, too. Peter was afraid of what would happen to him. So he lied to the woman. He wanted to stay near to Jesus. Peter wanted to know what would happen to Jesus. But Peter was not brave enough to say that he knew Jesus.
Annas speaks to Jesus 18:19-24
v19 Meanwhile, the *High Priest was asking Jesus questions about his *disciples. Also, the *High Priest asked Jesus about the things that he (Jesus) taught. v20 Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken in public always, to everybody. And always I have taught in the *synagogues or at the *Temple, where all the *Jews meet. I have not said anything in secret. v21 So do not ask me these questions. Ask those people who heard me speak. They know what I said.’
v22 When Jesus said this, one of the guards slapped Jesus’ face. The guard said, ‘You should not speak to the *High Priest in this manner!’
v23 Jesus answered, ‘I have said nothing wrong. But you think that I have said something wrong. Then you must prove it! You must not hit me if I have told you the truth!’
v24 Then Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas, the *High Priest. But the guards did not untie Jesus.
Verses 19-24 Before his *trial in front of the *Jewish leaders (Mark 14:53-65), Annas asked Jesus questions. Many *Jews considered that Annas was still the *High Priest. This was because the *High Priest’s job should have lasted for his whole life (see note on John 18:12-13).
Jesus was not afraid of Annas. Jesus told the truth to Annas. But, outside in the yard, Peter was not telling the truth. He was afraid, so he lied. Jesus was polite when he spoke to the *High Priest. But one of the guards became angry and he hit Jesus. However, Jesus remained calm. He told them to prove it if he had said something wrong. Of course, they could not prove it, because Jesus was telling the truth. So they sent him to Caiaphas, the official *High Priest.
Peter says again that he does not know Jesus 18:25-27
v25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still warming himself by the fire. Somebody asked him, ‘Are you one of that man’s *disciples?’
Peter denied it. He said, ‘No, I am not.’
v26 One of the *High Priest’s servants was there. He was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. This servant asked, ‘Did I see you with Jesus in the garden?’
v27 Again, Peter denied this. Immediately, a *cockerel *crowed.
Verses 25-27 Peter had tried to defend Jesus when the guards came to arrest him. Most of Jesus’ *disciples had run away. But Simon Peter, with the other *disciple, had followed Jesus to the *High Priest’s home. Peter could have run away at any time. But instead, he waited outside to see what would happen to Jesus.
However, he was very afraid. So, twice more, he said that he did not know Jesus. Jesus had said already that Peter would do this (John 13:38).
Sometimes, we may want to say that we do not know Jesus. This is because we are afraid. People may laugh at us or they may become angry with us. In some countries, it is not legal to be a *Christian. In such places, *Christians may go to prison because they *believe in Jesus.
It is a *sin for a *Christian to say that they do not *believe in Jesus. But there is no *sin that is too bad for God to forgive. We must remember that Jesus forgave Peter (John 21:15-17).
Jesus’ *trial in front of Pontius Pilate 18:28-37
v28 The guards led Jesus away from Caiaphas. They took him to the *Roman ruler’s palace. It was early in the morning. So the *Jewish leaders and officials did not go inside the palace, because then they would become *unclean. And they wanted to eat the special meal for the *Passover.
v29 So Pilate came outside to speak to them. He said, ‘Explain why you are accusing this man. What crimes has he done?’
v30 They answered, ‘He is a criminal! That is why we have brought him to you.’
v31 Pilate said, ‘Then you must take him back with you. Use your own law to *judge him!’
But the *Jewish leaders said, ‘We do not have the authority to *execute anybody.’ v32 (So what Jesus had said about his death would happen soon.)
v33 Then Pilate went back inside. He ordered his soldiers to bring Jesus. Then Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the king of the *Jews?’
v34 Jesus answered, ‘Was it your idea to ask me this question? Or did other people tell you about me?’
v35 Pilate answered, ‘I am not a *Jew! Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?’
v36 Jesus answered, ‘My *kingdom is not from this world. If it was from this world, my servants would have fought to defend me. They would have prevented my arrest. No! My *kingdom is not from this world.’
v37 Pilate said, ‘So you are a king!’
Jesus answered, ‘You call me a king. And you are right. I was born into this world for this purpose: to speak about the truth. Everybody who loves the truth listens to me.’
Verses 28-31 Pontius Pilate ruled *Judea *province on behalf of the *Roman government. He had the authority to *execute criminals. The *Jewish leaders did not have this authority. So they took Jesus to Pilate’s palace, because they wanted Jesus to receive this punishment.
But the *Jewish *Law did not allow them to enter a *Gentile’s house. If they did, then they would become *unclean. And they would not be able to *worship in the *Temple or to eat the special meal at the *Passover. The *Jewish leaders were trying to arrange Jesus’ murder. But they were worried about the minor rules of their religion! This showed that they did not really know God.
Verse 32 The *Romans killed criminals (except criminals who were *Roman citizens) by means of a punishment called the ‘*cross’. First, the *Roman soldiers would force the criminal to lie on a wooden *cross. Then the soldiers hammered nails into the criminal’s hands and feet. Then the soldiers lifted up the *cross and they fixed it in the ground. The criminal hung there until he died. It was extremely painful.
Jesus had said that people would lift him above the earth (John 12:32-33). This was a *prophecy about the manner in which he would die.
Verses 33-35 Immediately, Pilate asked Jesus if he (Jesus) was the king of the *Jews. Jesus wanted to know why Pilate had asked this question. Perhaps somebody had told Pilate that Jesus said this. Or perhaps it was Pilate’s own idea to ask this question.
The word ‘king’ had different meanings for different people. The *Romans allowed only people that they chose themselves to be kings. For example, they had chosen Herod to be a king. But for the *Jewish leaders, the word ‘king’ could have meant a leader of their religion: the *Messiah. Jesus did not deny that he was a king.
Verses 36-37 But Jesus was not the sort of king that Pilate was referring to. Jesus’ *kingdom was not a physical region or country. He was king over everybody who *believed in him. And he is still. He is our king when we allow him to rule every part of our lives. Everybody who obeys him belongs to his *kingdom. We live in the world still, so his *kingdom is also in the world, too. It is in the world, but it does not belong to the world. (See note on John 17:6-12.) Jesus came into the world to show to people and to tell to people the truth about God. When we believe this, we belong to his *kingdom. And so we do not belong to the world.
The *Jewish leaders ask Pilate to let Barabbas go free 18:38-40
v38 Pilate said to Jesus, ‘I do not know what truth is.’
Then Pilate went back outside to the *Jewish leaders. He said, ‘I cannot find any reason to *condemn this man. v39 But you *Jews have a custom. The custom is that you ask me to let one prisoner go free during the *Passover. Do you want me to let the king of the *Jews go free?’
v40 They shouted, ‘No! Not him! Free Barabbas!’ Barabbas was a criminal.
Verses 38-40 The word ‘truth’ means more than just what is morally right or wrong. ‘Truth’ means everything that is true about the nature of God and of men and women. The ‘truth’ is about why we exist. It is about God’s plan and purpose on our behalf. Jesus did not just speak about this truth. He showed this truth to us by means of his life, death and *resurrection.
But Pilate did not understand what Jesus meant by the word ‘truth’. Perhaps he did not really want to understand. We think this because he did not wait for Jesus to explain about truth. Instead, Pilate went back outside.
Pilate could not find any reason to *execute Jesus. Probably, Pilate thought that Jesus would not cause trouble for the *Roman government. So Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free. And Pilate wanted the *Jewish leaders to request this. Then, he could agree, because of their custom.
But the *Jewish leaders refused. Instead, they wanted Barabbas to go free. The other three *Gospels also mention Barabbas. From their descriptions, we know that Barabbas had led some *Jews in *Jerusalem to fight against the *Romans. He was also guilty of murder. Because the *Jews hated the *Romans, Barabbas was probably popular with them. So Jesus died instead of Barabbas. Barabbas deserved his punishment. But he became free because Jesus took his punishment.
We are like Barabbas, because we all deserve God’s punishment because of our *sins. But Jesus has taken the punishment that we deserve. His death has freed us from the results of our *sins.
betray ~ to give information about a friend to their enemy.disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.
baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
temple ~ a building where people went to worship God. Jesus referred to his body as a temple. This was because God was living among people in his Son, Jesus.
Temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Jews went to worship God.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Pharisees ~ a group of Jews who thought that they obeyed all God’s commands.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Father ~ God. Jesus taught us to call God ‘Father’. All Christians are God’s children.
father ~ someone whom a person respects and follows; an ancestor. The Jewish leaders said that Abraham was their father. But Jesus said that the devil was their father, instead!
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
ancestor ~ person in the past from whom one’s parents came.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
temple ~ a building where people went to worship God. Jesus referred to his body as a temple. This was because God was living among people in his Son, Jesus.
Temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Jews went to worship God.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
olive ~ a small bitter fruit. Olives are green or black. People make oil from the fruit.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
save ~ to rescue from the results of sin.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Greek ~ a person from Greece; the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Gospel ~ one of the 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They record Jesus’ life.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
prophet ~ a person who hears God’s words and tells them to other people. Some prophets wrote books in the Old Testament. Sometimes, they told about events before they happened.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the Jewish *scriptures. The writers wrote this before the birth of Jesus.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
execute ~ to kill a person legally because they are guilty of a crime.
Sabbath ~ the Sabbath was Saturday; the 7th day of the week which is special to the Jews. It was the day when the people had to rest from work (Exodus 20:8-11).
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
follower ~ a person who accepts another person as their guide and their teacher; like a disciple.
disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.
baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Galilee ~ an area and a large lake in northern Israel. The home area of Jesus and several of his disciples.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.
baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
synagogue ~ the building where Jews met locally to worship God.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
trial ~ the time when a prisoner is in court. The people there decide whether the person is guilty of a crime.
cockerel ~ a male chicken.
crow ~ to make a noise like a male chicken.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
unclean ~ in the Jewish religion, this means when something or someone is not right. God does not accept that person or that thing.
Jewish ~ the word that describes a Jew or anything that belongs to the Jews. The ‘Jewish leaders’ were a group of important Jews who lived in Judah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Passover ~ an important holy day for the Jews. They eat a special meal on this day every year. This is to remember that God freed them. Before God freed them, they were slaves in the country called Egypt. This happened at the time of Moses. So Passover became an important holiday. At the time of Jesus, the Jews came to Jerusalem to pray in the Temple. And families shared a special meal together.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
temple ~ a building where people went to worship God. Jesus referred to his body as a temple. This was because God was living among people in his Son, Jesus.
Temple ~ the special building in Jerusalem where the Jews went to worship God.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
judge ~ to decide whether a person is guilty, usually in a court of law.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Judea ~ the country where the Jews lived. Judea is a Greek and Roman name for the southern kingdom that is also called Judah. It is the region south of Samaria. Jerusalem was in Judea.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Greek ~ a person from Greece; the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
kingdom ~ a place or country that a king rules. God’s kingdom is where God rules. God is the king of all Christians and all Christians are in his kingdom.
Samaria ~ region between Galilee and Judea.
Jerusalem ~ the capital city of Israel. It was the place where Israel’s early kings ruled. Later, the kings of the southern kingdom called Judah ruled in Jerusalem.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on the earth. It is about the things that Jesus did. And it is about the things that he taught. It is also about the church and what Christians should believe.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
Galilee ~ an area and a large lake in northern Israel. The home area of Jesus and several of his disciples.
Israel ~ name of the land that God gave to Jacob (who is also called Israel) and his sons (Genesis chapter 35). Also refers to the Jews, the group of people whom God chose to belong to him in a special way.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
disciple ~ a person who wants to do the same things as another person and to learn from them. Jesus had disciples. John the Baptist had disciples, too.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people.
baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water, or to put water on a person; it is to show that the person wants to obey God. Christians receive baptism as a sign that they want to follow Jesus.
province ~ a region that the Romans governed. The Romans divided the countries that they ruled into provinces.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Law ~ the rules that God gave to Moses for the Jews.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
Gentile ~ any person who is not a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
worship ~ to give thanks and honour to God and Jesus. To show to him that we love him very much.
cross ~ two pieces of wood that someone has fixed together. Roman soldiers fixed people to crosses in order to kill those people as a punishment. Jesus died on a cross. The cross is now the sign of the Christian church.
Roman ~ a person from Rome. Rome was an important city. The Emperor and the government lived in Rome. Roman describes everything that belonged to Rome.
Christian ~ a person who *believes in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
church ~ (1) All Christians everywhere. (2) The members of a local group of Christians.
Emperor ~ the chief Roman ruler.
Saviour ~ someone who will bring us back to God from the bad things that we have done. Jesus is the only person who can save us from the results of our sins. However, sometimes people used the word ‘Saviour’ as a title (name) for rulers or false gods.
Lord ~ the name for God or Jesus in the Bible. It means that he is above all other things.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ name for the special servant of God. It means the person whom God sent to save people from the results of their sins. Jesus is the Messiah.
Jew ~ a person who is born from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (see the Book of Genesis); a person who follows the religion of the Jews.
sin ~ not to obey God. Sins are the wrong things (or evil deeds) that we do against God and other people.
condemn ~ to decide that someone is guilty and that the guilty person should suffer punishment.
resurrection ~ to come back to life after death.