John 18:1-11
Jesus Is Arrested
Read the passage
1After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden.
2Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.
3So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them.
6When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
9This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”
10Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Judas knows the garden where Jesus often met with His disciples. He brings soldiers and officers there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus knows what is coming and steps forward to meet them.
When He identifies Himself, they draw back and fall to the ground. Jesus then asks whom they are seeking again. He is ready to go with them, but He insists that His disciples be allowed to leave. John connects their protection to Jesus' promise that He would not lose those the Father gave Him.
Peter draws his sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant. Jesus tells Peter to put it away. The cup the Father has given Him is the suffering He is about to face. Peter's weapon cannot serve the purpose for which Jesus has come.
Jesus' surrender is deliberate. He steps forward, protects His followers, and accepts the Father's will. The armed crowd can bind Him, but it has not forced Him to abandon His mission.
Questions
1 What does Jesus do when Judas and the armed group arrive?
AnswerKnowing what is coming, He steps forward and asks whom they are seeking. He identifies Himself as Jesus of Nazareth.
2 What happens when Jesus says, “I am He”?
AnswerThey draw back and fall to the ground.
3 Why does Jesus tell the soldiers to let the disciples go?
AnswerHe protects them while giving Himself up. John says this fulfills Jesus' word that He has not lost one of those the Father gave Him.
4 What does Peter's use of the sword warn us about when we want to defend Jesus?
AnswerA strong desire to defend Him can still lead us to act against His will. We need to listen to Jesus rather than assume that our anger or force serves Him.
What This Means for Us
Peter acts as though Jesus needs the rescue Peter can provide. Jesus tells him to stop. Love for Jesus must include listening when He corrects the way we are trying to serve Him.
We can face a smaller version of that mistake in an argument about faith. Winning by threats, mockery, or intimidation can contradict the Lord we claim to defend. Before answering, consider whether your words reflect what Jesus has taught you.
His acceptance of the cross is His saving mission. It does not require someone facing violence to stay in danger. Here our confidence rests in the Savior who willingly went forward for His people.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping forward when You knew what lay ahead. Correct us when our zeal leads us away from Your will. Teach us to listen to You and trust the work You came to accomplish. Amen.