John 33 Betrayed Arrested And Denied
BETRAYED, ARRESTED, AND DENIED
#33
John 18:1-27
“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. 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” (John 18:1-27).
John 21:15-19 (This happened after Jesus was raised from death.)
“15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me” (John 21:15-19).
I AM
The prayer has concluded. He has eaten, washed the feet of the disciples, and said everything He needs to say. The hour has come. They all get up from the table and take the short walk to the ravine of the Kidron where there is a garden. The other Gospels let us know this is the Garden of Gethsemane. He's been here before. In fact, He often takes His disciples to this garden. They all know where it is, including Judas, who left earlier in the dark, after his feet were washed (John 13:30). He didn't hear what Jesus had promised His disciples, nor did he need to. His mind was made up, the "ruler of the world" had filled His heart already. He would betray Jesus in this garden.
Oh, the irony of Satan filling Judas' heart to betray Jesus. Satan's ruin comes through the death of Jesus, which he conspired to arrange. And it begins right now. Judas leads both Roman and Jewish soldiers and police to this spot. The world is in darkness at this hour, so they need lanterns, torches, and weapons. A world in darkness always needs weapons.
Jesus is not shocked at their arrival. He knew exactly what was coming that night. He is actually the One who initiates the conversation with the soldiers. "Whom do you seek?" He asks. Remember God in the garden asking Adam a question He already knew the answer to (Genesis 3:9)? Here He does it again. "Jesus of Nazareth," they respond. And Jesus simply says, "I AM." Don't let your English Bible fool you. His exact words are, "I AM." They hear Him. Judas hears Him.
This has been an important phrase in John's Gospel. It introduces those seven profound identity markers, but there are also times when Jesus simply says, "I AM" with no description attached to the end: while walking on the sea (John 6:20), arguing at the temple (John 8:24, 58-59; after which they try to stone Him), and during His farewell address (John 13:19).
These are non-predicated "I Am" statements and here, in this climactic moment, when His death is most imminent, He says it again.
And those powerful, well-trained, brave Roman soldiers fall to the ground in terror at the statement (John 18:6). It's repeated three times in verses 5-8. Make no mistake, this is the "I Am" statement all the others have been pointing to. The God of Israel (Exodus 3:14) is standing in a garden before the Roman armies. The showdown has come. The unthinkable is about to happen.
Jesus Is Arrested
Judas just led the soldiers to Jesus. He heard the "I Am" and watched as they fell to the ground. He may have fallen also. And that moment is the last we read about him in John. There is no mention of his regret, return of the money, or suicide. Just his cowardice in the garden. And the betrayer's story fades away into oblivion.
Jesus asks the trembling soldiers to let His disciples go. If they are only after Him, there is no need for the disciples to be arrested or killed.
The way Rome usually put an end to rebellion was not just to kill the leader but to crucify all involved, leaving their bodies on crosses as a message to every passerby who sees. But Jesus is concerned with making sure none of His disciples is lost (John 18:9; 17:12). Peter will have none of this, though. He's not fleeing. He's no coward! He already promised to die for Jesus (John 13:37); now is his chance. With the most powerful army in the world gathered by the hundreds before him, he whips out his sword and begins to strike! He cuts off the ear of the high priest's slave, a man named Malchus.
Jesus emphatically commands him to "put the sword into the sheath" (John 18:11). And I think He means, keep it there. Jesus did not come to take life, to kill, or to destroy. He came to save. When a disciple whips out a sword in defense of Jesus, He has forgotten who Jesus truly is. He has forgotten the mission of Jesus. He has forgotten the love of Jesus. Jesus did not carry a sword and He doesn't need you to either.
Jesus allows Himself to be arrested and is taken to Annas (John 18:12-13) and Caiaphas (John 18:24). Caiaphas appeared earlier in John and accidentally prophesied. I love this story. John 11:47-53 sets in motion the events leading to the crucifixion. It all went back to Jesus raising Lazarus. The sign was too big, and He was too close to Jerusalem and too close to Passover. The Jewish leaders were terrified Rome would come and destroy them because of Jesus because He got large crowds of Jews to start talking about other kings and Messiahs. Caiaphas, the voice of reason, explains, "It is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish" (John 11:50). Again, the irony. Caiaphas means that by killing Jesus, you can save everyone from the Romans. So, everyone is saved if Jesus dies. This is, in part, true: the death of Jesus does bring the salvation of many, not just Israel, but all who are scattered. Yet it won't save you from the Romans. And the nation is still going to perish.
Peter Denies and Jesus Affirms
All of this is causing Peter's head to spin like crazy. "How can the Messiah be arrested? How can Jesus let this happen? Why didn't He fight? Can He not beat the Romans? Why didn't He defend me? Will I get arrested for being with Him? Will I be crucified for pulling out a sword?" This moment of doubt, fear, and mental fatigue is no time for Peter to make bold proclamations of faith in Jesus. And tragically, that's exactly what he is asked to do. What horrible timing. Why couldn't they have asked him if he was a disciple three weeks earlier? Or right after He fed the 5,000? Why not after the resurrection? Why now? At Peter's weakest moment?
This is important. We don't get to choose the time we're called upon to confess Jesus. The world doesn't wait for us to get prepared. Satan doesn't wait until we're ready. When you are most vulnerable is when you most need to confess. Peter fails. Three times, Peter fails. I am not a disciple (John 18:17). I am not a disciple (John 18:25). I was not in the garden (John 18:27). And the rooster crowed.
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn't see Judas again. Judas isn't around any longer, but Peter is. Jesus appears to Peter several times. He doesn't appear hurt. (Although how could He not have been?) He doesn't appear angry. (Although He had every right to be.) He appears to forgive, uplift, strengthen, and encourage.
The final chapter of the Gospel of John records a famous conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus does not give up on him. In fact, He gives Peter three chances to proclaim the love he thrice denied. Read John 21:15-17. Three times Peter says he loves Jesus, but something interesting is happening in this conversation. It's hard to see it in English. There are two Greek words here that are translated as love: agape and phileo. The first two times, Jesus asks, do you love Me (agape)? And Peter responds, You know that I love You (phileo). The third time, Jesus asks, do you love Me (phileo)? And Peter, being grieved, says, "I love You (phileo)."
After each of these declarations, Jesus does not rebuke Peter. He does not give up on Peter. Instead, He gives Peter a job:
Tend my Lambs ... Shepherd My sheep ... Tend My sheep." The Good Shepherd is calling Peter to be a co-shepherd. A good shepherd. Remember, a good shepherd "lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Peter loves Jesus, but for some reason, He is hesitant to say agape. There are linguistic arguments about how much of a distinction there is in the definition of agape and phileo. This much is clear: the cross is about agape. In moments of fear and confusion, Peter denied Jesus to save His own neck. He needs to learn agape. He'll learn it as a shepherd. And the time will come; as he grows older, he'll become the shepherd God calls him to be: "You will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go" (John 21:18-19). Peter will die. He'll learn agape. He'll shepherd God's people. And he'll glorify God in his death (John 21:19). His failure is not his future. Hope always remains.