JOHN 18:1 – 40
Bible Study Notes Rev. Betsy Perkins
Jesus Arrested and Tried
- Recall your most meaningful Good Friday worship service. What made it memorable?
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Gospel of John (RightNowMedia), 1:38:10 – 1:46:30
Jesus Arrested (18:1-14)
- Jesus’ betrayal takes place in a garden. What was the first garden scene in the Bible? What happened in that garden?
- Who takes the initiative in the Garden of Gethsemene? Why is that important?
- How does Jesus identify himself to the soldiers? What effect does it have?
This is the simple, clear and world-changing statement: the vulnerable man standing before you in the garden, glimpsed in the flickering torchlight, is the one who from all eternity was equal with the Father. He is the I AM., the bread of life, the light of the world, the resurrection and the life, the way the truth and the life. Something of this is the only reasonable explanation why, in this version, the arresting party stumble backwards and fall to the ground. (Unless, that is, we are to say that this is a moment of sheer comedy, with the soldiers tripping over one another in the dark.) Their reaction, whether voluntary or involuntary, mirrors what people in the Bible do when coming face to face with God. N.T. Wright
- How does Jesus show concern for his disciples even in the moment of his arrest?
- Why would Peter draw his sword and attack one of the arresting party? How does Jesus respond?
- Where do the soldiers take Jesus first?
- Read John 11:49-53 to recall what Caiaphas previously told the Jewish court.
We now know, if there had been any doubt, what is going to happen and what it means. The true high priest will be sent to his death by the false one, so that through his death God will rescue his people. The true Adam will be sent to his death by the false ones, so that the garden may be restored, and instead of bloodshed there may be healing and forgiveness. The Word who was and is God is led away from questioning by God’s official representative.
I don’t know that any of us will ever be able to hold all this in our minds at any one time. John allows the images to build up, one upon another upon another, until we’re overwhelmed by them. That‘s part of the point. You can no more read this story at one level only, a simple arrest and trial, than you can plant a garden in a coffee cup. The only way forward is to allow all the different ideas and levels, the clashes of meaning and misunderstanding, to echo around until they produce prayer, awe, silence and love. N.T. Wright
Jesus Before the High Priest (18:15-27):
- Of Jesus’ followers, who have remained close to Jesus at this point and who have deserted him? Why?
- Who is telling the truth in this passage and who is telling lies? Who is speaking openly and who is trying to hide?
- Have you ever been in a situation in which you wanted to hide the fact that you are a Christian? Why were you reluctant?
- Read Jesus’ words to the disciples in Mark 14:27, where he quotes the prophet Zechariah. Who is struck here?
- Where is Jesus sent next?
Jesus Before Pilate (18:28-40):
- Why do the Jewish leaders stay outside the Roman governor’s palace? How does that precaution contrast with their purpose for being there?
The irony is that the Jewish leaders take elaborate precautions to avoid ritual contamination (a result of entering a Gentile residence) in order to observe the entire 7-day festival of Passover at the very time they are manipulating the judicial system to execute the innocent Jesus, who alone is the true Passover lamb. NIV Text Note
- John reminds the reader several times that all this takes place during the Passover. Why does he not want us to lose sight of the context for Jesus’ arrest and execution?
- Do the Jewish leaders answer Pilate’s question in verse 29?
- How do kings usually come to power? Why might Pilate be concerned an accusation that Jesus claims to be a king?
- Where is Jesus’ kingdom from, if not from this world? Who/what is Jesus’ kingdom for?
Jesus was, in fact, speaking and bringing the truth. Truth isn’t something that you get out of a test tube, or a mathematical formula. We don’t have truth in our pockets. Philosophers and judges don’t own it. It is a gift, a strange quality that, like Jesus’ kingdom in fact, comes from elsewhere but is meant to take up residence in this world. Jesus has come to give evidence about this truth. He is himself the truth. N.T. Wright
- What is the deal the Jewish leaders make with Pilate that allows them to have Jesus killed? How is this deal a perfect illustration of the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Pilate didn’t see it at the time. Even cunning Caiaphas probably didn’t appreciate the irony of the point. But John wants us to see it. This is what the cross will mean. This is what truth is and does. Truth is what Jesus is; and Jesus is dying for Barabbas, and for Israel, and for the world. And for you and me. N.T. Wright
In light of this passage and our discussion, what one truth about God and about yourself stand out as something to “take to heart” this week?
Are there steps you will take, by God’s grace, to more fully apply it to your life?
Resources: NIV Zondervan Study Bible, 2015
N.T. Wright, John for Everyone, 2002
Max Lucado, Life Lessons from John, 2018
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Gospel of John (RightNowMedia), 2014
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