WITH (συν). See John 12:2 for another example of συν in John (common in Paul). The usual μετα reappears in verse John 18:2.OVER (περαν). "Beyond," preposition with the ablative as in John 6:22; John 6:25.BROOK (χειμαρρου). Old word, flowing (ροοσ, ρεω) in winter (χειμα), only here in N.T.KIDR... [ Continue Reading ]
RESORTED THITHER (συνηχθη εκε). First aorist passive indicative of συναγω, old verb to gather together. A bit awkward here till you add "with his disciples." Judas knew the place, and the habit of Jesus to come here at night for prayer (Luke 22:39). Hence his offer to catch Jesus while the feast... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BAND OF SOLDIERS (την σπειραν). No word for "of soldiers" in the Greek, but the Latin _spira_ (roll or ball) was used for a military cohort (Polybius 11, 23, 1) as in Matthew 27:27; Acts 10:1, etc., here for a small band secured from the Tower of Antonia. The Synoptics do not mention the sold... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE COMING UPON HIM (ειδως παντα τα ερχομενα επ' αυτον). Mentioned already in John 13:1. He was not taken by surprise. The surrender and death of Jesus were voluntary acts, though the guilt of Judas and the rest remains.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS STANDING (ιστηκε). Second past perfect active of ιστημ used as imperfect, a vivid picture of Judas in the very act of betraying Jesus. John does not mention the kiss by Judas as a sign to the soldiers and police. Tatian suggests that it came before verse John 18:4. Then Jesus stepped forth an... [ Continue Reading ]
FELL TO THE GROUND (επεσαν χαμα). Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω with first aorist ending (-αν). This recoil made them stumble. But why did they step back? Was it the former claim of Jesus ( I AM , εγω ειμ) to be on an equality with God (John 8:58; John 13:19) or mere embarrassment and... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN (παλιν). The repeated question receives the same answer. The soldiers and officers know who it is, but are still overawed.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THESE GO THEIR WAY (αφετε τουτους υπαγειν). Second aorist active imperative of αφιημ. The verb υπαγειν means to withdraw (John 11:44). Jesus shows solicitude for the eleven as he had warned them and prayed for them (Luke 22:31). He is trying to help them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT MIGHT BE FULFILLED (ινα πληρωθη). The regular formula (John 17:12) for Scripture, here applied to the prophecy of Jesus (John 17:12) as in verse John 18:32. John treats the saying of Jesus as on a par with the O.T.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING A SWORD (εχων μαχαιραν). It was unlawful to carry a weapon on a feast-day, but Peter had become alarmed at Christ's words about his peril. They had two swords or knives in the possession of the eleven according to Luke (John 22:38). After the treacherous kiss of Judas (on the hand or the ch... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE SHEATH (εις την θηκην). Old word from τιθημ, to put for box or sheath, only here in N.T. In Matthew 26:52 Christ's warning is given.THE CUP (το ποτηριον). Metaphor for Christ's death, used already in reply to request of James and John (Mark 10:39; Matthew 20:22) and in the agony in Geth... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF CAPTAIN (ο χιλιαρχος). They actually had the Roman commander of the cohort along (cf. Acts 21:31), not mentioned before.SEIZED (συνελαβον). Second aorist active of συλλαμβανω, old verb to grasp together, to arrest (technical word) in the Synoptics in this context (Mark 14:48; Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WHICH GAVE COMMAND (ο συμβουλευσας). First aorist active articular participle of συμβουλευω, old verb (Matthew 26:4). The reference is to John 11:50.IT WAS EXPEDIENT (συμφερε). Present active indicative retained in indirect assertion after secondary tense (ην, was). Here we have the second a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOLLOWED (ηκολουθε). Imperfect active of ακολουθεω, "was following," picturesque and vivid tense, with associative instrumental case τω Ιησου.ANOTHER DISCIPLE (αλλος μαθητης). Correct text without article ο (genuine in verse John 18:16). Peter's companion was the Beloved Disciple, the author of... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS STANDING (ιστηκε). Same form in verse John 18:5 which see. So also ιστηκεισαν in John 18:18. Picture of Peter standing outside by the door.UNTO THE HIGH PRIEST (του αρχιερεως). Objective genitive here, but dative in verse John 18:15.UNTO HER THAT KEPT THE DOOR (τη θυρωρω). Old word (θυρα,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAID (η παιδισκη). Feminine form of παιδισκος, diminutive of παις. See Matthew 26:69. When "the maid the portress" (apposition).ART THOU ALSO? (μη κα συ ει;). Expecting the negative answer, though she really believed he was.THIS MAN'S (του ανθρωπου τουτου). Contemptuous use of ουτος with... [ Continue Reading ]
A FIRE OF COALS (ανθρακιαν). Old word, in LXX, only here and John 21:9 in N.T. A heap of burning coals (ανθραξ, coal). Cf. our "anthracite." It was cold (ψυχος ην). "There was coldness." The soldiers had apparently returned to their barracks.WERE WARMING THEMSELVES (εθερμαινοντο). Direct middle... [ Continue Reading ]
ASKED (ηρωτησεν). First aorist active indicative of ερωταω, to question, usual meaning. This was Annas making a preliminary examination of Jesus probably to see on what terms Jesus made disciples whether as a mere rabbi or as Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENLY (παρρησια). As already shown (John 7:4; John 8:26; John 10:24; John 10:39; John 16:25; John 16:29. See John 7:4 for same contrast between εν παρρησια and εν κρυπτω.I EVER TAUGHT (εγω παντοτε εδιδαξα). Constative aorist active indicative. For the temple teaching see John 2:19;... [ Continue Reading ]
ASK THEM THAT HAVE HEARD ME (ερωτησον τους ακηκοοτας). First aorist (tense of urgent and instant action) active imperative of ερωταω and the articular perfect active participle accusative masculine plural of ακουω, to hear. There were abundant witnesses to be had. Multitudes had heard Jesus in th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS (ταυτα αυτου ειποντος). Genitive absolute of second aorist active participle of ειπον, to say.STANDING BY (παρεστηκως). Perfect active (intransitive) participle of παριστημ (transitive), to place beside. One of the temple police who felt his importance as protector of Anna... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I HAVE SPOKEN EVIL (ε κακως ελαλησα). Condition of first class (assumed to be true), with ε and aorist active indicative. Jesus had not spoken evilly towards Annas, though he did not here turn the other cheek, one may note. For the sake of argument, Jesus puts it as if he did speak evilly. The... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE SENT HIM (απεστειλεν ουν αυτον). First aorist active of αποστελλω, not past perfect (had sent). The preliminary examination by Annas was over.BOUND (δεδεμενον). Perfect passive participle of δεω, to bind. Jesus was bound on his arrest (verse John 18:12) and apparently unbound during t... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS STANDING AND WARMING HIMSELF (ην εστως κα θερμαινομενος). Two periphrastic imperfects precisely as in verse John 18:18, vivid renewal of the picture drawn there. John alone gives the examination of Jesus by Annas (John 18:19-24) which he places between the first and the second denials by Peter... [ Continue Reading ]
DID NOT I SEE THEE IN THE GARDEN WITH HIM? (ουκ εγω σε ειδον εν τω κηπω μετ' αυτου;). This staggering and sudden thrust expects an affirmative answer by the use of ουκ, not μη as in verses John 18:17; John 18:25, but Peter's previous denials with the knowledge that he was observed by a kinsman of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY LEAD (αγουσιν). Dramatic historical present of αγω, plural "they" for the Sanhedrists (Luke 23:1). John gives no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact, John 18:24; John 18:28) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at night (Mark 14:53; Mark 14:55-65; Matthew 2... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT OUT (εξηλθεν εξω). Note both εξ and εξω (went out outside), since the Sanhedrin would not come into Pilate's palace. Apparently on a gallery over the pavement in front of the palace (John 19:13).ACCUSATION (κατηγοριαν). Old word for formal charge, in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 5:19; Titus 1... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THIS MAN WERE NOT AN EVIL-DOER (ε μη ην ουτος κακον ποιων). Condition (negative) of second class (periphrastic imperfect indicative), assumed to be untrue, with the usual apodosis (αν and aorist indicative, first aorist plural with κ). This is a pious pose of infallibility not in the Synoptics.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOURSELVES (υμεις). Emphatic. Pilate shrewdly turns the case over to the Sanhedrin in reply to their insolence, who have said nothing whatever about their previous trial and condemnation of Jesus. He drew out at once the admission that they wanted the death of Jesus, not a fair trial for him, but... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHAT MANNER OF DEATH (ποιω θανατω). Instrumental case of the qualitative interrogative ποιος in an indirect question, the very idiom used in John 12:32 concerning the Cross and here treated as prophecy (Scripture) with ινα πληρωθη like the saying of Jesus in verse John 18:9 which see.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN (παλιν). Back into the palace where Pilate was before.CALLED (εφωνησεν). First aorist active indicative of φωνεω. Jesus was already inside the court (verse John 18:28). Pilate now summoned him to his presence since he saw that he had to handle the case. The charge that Jesus claimed to be... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THYSELF (απο σεαυτου). Whether a sincere inquiry on Pilate's part or a trap from the Sanhedrin.... [ Continue Reading ]
AM I A JEW? (μητ εγω Ιουδαιος ειμι;). Proud and fine scorn on Pilate's part at the idea that he had a personal interest in the question. Vehement negation implied. Cf. John 4:29 for μητ in a question. The gulf between Jew and Gentile yawns wide here.NATION (εθνος as in John 11:48-52, rather tha... [ Continue Reading ]
MY KINGDOM (η βασιλεια η εμη). Christ claims to be king to Pilate, but of a peculiar kingdom. For "world" (κοσμου) see John 17:13-18.MY SERVANTS (ο υπηρετα ο εμο). For the word see verse John 18:3 where it means the temple police or guards (literally, under-rowers). In the LXX always (Proverbs 1... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU A KING THEN? (ουκουν βασιλευς ε συ;). Compound of ουκ and ουν and is clearly ironical expecting an affirmative answer, only here in the N.T., and in LXX only in A text in 2 Kings 5:23.THOU SAYEST THAT (συ λεγεις οτ). In Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3, συ λεγεις clearly means "yes,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS TRUTH? (τ εστιν αληθεια;). This famous sneer of Pilate reveals his own ignorance of truth, as he stood before Incarnate Truth (John 14:6). _Quid est veritas?_ The answer in Latin is _Vir est qui adest_ as has been succinctly said by the use of the same letters. Pilate turned with indiffer... [ Continue Reading ]
A CUSTOM (συνηθεια). Old word for intimacy, intercourse, from συνηθης (συν, ηθος), in N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:16. This custom, alluded to in Mark 15:6; Matthew 27:15, is termed necessity (αναγκη) in Luke 23:17 (late MSS., not in older MSS.). All the Gospels use the ver... [ Continue Reading ]
CRIED OUT (εκραυγασαν). First aorist active of κραυγαζω, old and rare verb from κραυγη, outcry (Matthew 25:6), as in Matthew 12:19.NOT THIS MAN (μη τουτον). Contemptuous use of ουτος. The priests put the crowd up to this choice (Mark 15:11) and Pilate offered the alternative (Matthew 27:17, one... [ Continue Reading ]