John Chapter 18

John Chapter 18

JC heads to a garden just over a brook called Cedron and his disciples followed him. But, Judas knew he was going to be there because Jesus had often taken his disciples to this same garden. From the chief priest and Pharisees Judas had obtained a contingent of men and officers and they descended on Jesus with lanterns, torches and weapons.

Jesus, of course, knew they were coming, but he still politely asked them who they were seeking. They told him that it was Jesus of Nazareth that they wanted and JC answered that he was this man. Judas stood by.

For some reason when they heard his answer they fell to the ground. So, Jesus asked them again, and again they answered the same.

JC said again that it was him and if they were after they should let the others go so that the prophesy could be fulfilled.

Simon Peter drew a sword and swung it at the high priest’s servant and managed to cut off an ear of a man named Malchus.

Jesus turned to Peter and told him to put his sword back in its sheath because his father had given him this cup and he would drink from it.

The officers took JC and bound him, leading him away to Annas who was father in law to Caiaphas who was the high priest that year (you may recall).

Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple (this is the imaginary disciple that doesn’t exist in any of the other gospels). The disciple was known to the high priest and he went in with Jesus to the palace, but Peter did not. He stood outside the door, but not for long because the imaginary disciple who is said to have written this horrendous gospel talked to the person who was guarding the door and brought Peter in.

The girl who was standing at the door asked Peter if he was one of JC’s disciples and he said that he was not. The servants and officers stood by the fire and warmed themselves and Peter stood with them.

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine. JC told him that he had always spoken openly to the world and taught in the synagogues and temples where the people were, in secret he had nothing to say. He asked the high priest why he would bother asking him when he should be asking the people that heard him because they would know what he had said.

One of the officers slapped Jesus and told him not to talk to the high priest like that.

Jesus said that if he had spoken evil then fine, but if he’d spoken well, why did this guy hit him?

Annas decided to bind him up again and send him over to Caiaphas.

Simon Peter was still warming himself while this was going on and one of the people standing around the fire with him asked if he wasn’t one of JC’s disciples. Again he denied it and told him that he wasn’t. One of the servants was related to Machus whose ear had been shorn. He said that he was pretty sure he’d seen Peter in the garden with JC.

Pete denied it again and immediately the cock crowed. (Oops!)

They led JC from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment, but they didn’t go (who are they? I have no idea) because they didn’t want to be defiled, they wanted to eat Passover afterall.

Pilate went out and asked why an accusation was brought against this man.

They answered that if he wasn’t a bad dude they certainly wouldn’t have brought him.

Pilate told them to take him and judge him according to their law, but the Jews argued that it wasn’t lawful for them to put anyone to death (I think it goes) because then the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled.

Pilate went into the judgment hall again and asked if he was the king of the Jews?

Jesus asked if he was saying that of his own accord or if someone gave Pilate that information.

Pilate asked if he (Pilate) was a Jew. (He was not, he was a Roman). Pilate continued, your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you to me. What have you done?

Jesus told him that his kingdom wasn’t of this world, if it were then his servants would fight and he would not be delivered to the Jews, but alas his kingdom was not from here.

Pilate asked if that meant that he was a king. Jesus responded that Pilate was the one saying that. He was born for this end and for this cause he came into the world so he could share the truth. Every one that recognizes truth hears his voice.

Pilate asked what the truth was. After saying this he went back to the Jews and told them that he didn’t find any fault with this man. But, no big deal because there was a custom that he would release on prisoner every Passover. So, he asks, would you like me to release the king of the Jews?

No, they screamed, they’d take Barabbas the robber.

Well, at least this chapter had more action and less prattle, but I’m not too fond of having Pete’s role relegated to buffoon in favor of some unnamed apparition.