The Gospel Of John Chapter 18 Pt. 1 Jesus Betrayed But God's Glory Was Displayed!

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We are now moving into John chapter 18. 

Jesus departed Jerusalem using the same path King David did. 

John 18:1  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.

John wants us to know that after Jesus finished teaching His disciples and answering their questions, this is when he left the upper room, where He had washed their feet. 

The phrase "When Jesus had spoken these words" refers to all that Jesus said in John 13 through 17. 

When Jesus finished speaking "these words", He went straight to the garden of Gethsemane (See Matthew 26:36). 

The garden was a quiet place that offered Jesus and His disciples some respite, from the busy affairs of gospel ministry.  

It was situated in the mount of Olives, on the east side of Jerusalem, separated from the city by a very narrow valley. Through this valley the brook Cedron ran. 

It only flowed with water when it rained, so it was dry nine months of the year. 

There is an account of King David crossing this brook which is a picture of the last King in David's line, Jesus Christ. 

David's betrayal by his son caused him to flee. 

2 Samuel 15:13-14  And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14)  And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 

King David was betrayed by his own son, Absalom, who had won enough support from the Israelites, that he could overthrow his father. 

Someone sent word to the King, and he gathered his loyal soldiers and servants, and fled for his life. 

David passed over the same path that Jesus would take.

2 Samuel 15:23  And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 

David exited the royal residence by a discreet gate, and went over the same Kidron brook that Jesus would pass over hundreds of years later. 

David ascended the mount of Olives weeping, praying and worshipping. 

2 Samuel 15:30-32  And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 31)  And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 32)  And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: 

This portion of King David's life clearly foreshadows the life of Christ. 

Late in his life, King David was rejected by his brethren during a coup staged by his son, Absalom, and was forced to flee from Jerusalem. 

He left the city by a winding path that carried him across the Kidron Brook. David was devastated by the terrible turn of events. He was full of grief, burdened with sorrow and emotional turmoil. 

The distresses David suffered hindered his progress as he made his way up the Mount of Olives. Detractors along the way cursed David and threw rocks at the King.

David earnestly prayed to the Lord for help, and worshipped God when he reached the sum­mit. 

David's close confidant betrayed the king and hung himself. 

2 Samuel 17:23  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

He then learned that his closest advisor named Ahithophel had betrayed him. Ahithophel later committed suicide by hanging himself.

In an amazing twist, it is clear that this portion of David's life represents far more than a typical palace coup. 

This same sequence of events was literally repeated during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus was also rejected from being King by His brethren, just days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the son of David.  

Je­sus also left the city by a path that took Him over the same Kidron Brook that David had crossed over many centuries before.

Jesus ascended the mount of Olives, full of sorrow. 

Luke 22:39-46  And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40)  And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41)  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42)  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43)  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44)  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45)  And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46)  And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 

Luke's gospel tells us what happened after Jesus crossed the brook Cedron, before His betrayal and arrest. He ascended the Mount of Olives and was overcome with grief and sorrow just as David was. 

The Lord Je­sus fell to the ground in earnest prayer, experiencing such agony in His soul, that He sweated drops of blood. 

Jesus was a man of sorrows and full of grief. 

Mark 14:34-35  And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35)  And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 

Jesus prayed three times for the hour of His death and the cup that represented our sins, to pass from Him. Yet, each time, Jesus submitted to His Father's will. 

Mark's gospel also records the great agony and sorrow that Jesus' carried that night. 

Christ’s detractors would shortly curse and mock the King of kings. A close disciple of Jesus, named Judas Iscariot, eventually betrayed Jesus from His inner circle.  

Judas hung himself like David's counselor did. 

Matthew 27:3-5  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4)  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that. 5)  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 

Judas later committed suicide by hanging himself, just as David’s counselor Ahithophel did. Ahithophel foreshadowed the treacherous betrayal by Judas Iscariot. 

These two men are connected in Psalm 41:9 as the text is applied to both of them. Ahithophel's betrayal is connected with Judas' acts in John 13:38.

Certainly this is not a string of random coincidences, separated by many centuries. Rather, it is the literal fulfillment of the word of truth.

Judas came to arrest Jesus with Roman soldiers. 

John 18:2-3  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. 

Judas was one of the twelve, a member of those who were most intimate with Jesus Christ. He knew where Jesus and the other were likely to be found.

Judas was given a band of men and officers, who provided security at the Temple. They came to arrest Jesus and were armed with weapons. 

The term "band of men" refers to a detachment of the Roman cohort, on duty at the festival to maintain order. They had weapons that Roman soldiers normally carried. 

Think about this scene for a moment. Gentle Jesus always demonstrated the compassion, longsuffering, patience and love of God. 

He did this to each person He ministered to, and while being arrested as if He was a violent criminal. 

Jesus put Himself in harm's way to protect His disciples. 

John 18:4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 

Jesus was not taken by surprise over the betrayal by Judas. He has full knowledge of what Judas was going to do (See John 13:21-27). 

Jesus loved His disciples unto the end, and this is why He went out to meet the mob. He protected His chosen ones from being targeted.

Jesus asked a simple question of the mob. 
"Whom seek ye?" Take note of what follows, because the Father is going to bear witness of His Son in a vivid way.

Jesus said "I am" and they all fell backward to the ground.

John 18:5-6  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. 

The answer to Jesus' question was blunt, as we would expect from a detachment of Roman soldiers. They sought Jesus of Nazareth. 

Jesus readily replied by saying "I am he." John wants us to know that as soon as Jesus said "I am he" all the soldiers, and officers of the temple "went backward and fell to the ground." 

Notice that the word "he" is italicized, meaning that the translators added it to give a better sense to the passage.

Moreover, the italicized word is not contained in the Greek text. This is why they used italics, so that the readers could know the translators added that word. 

What Jesus said was the great name of Jehovah! He said "I am" because Christ was Jehovah in the flesh. 

Our Lord chose to give them proof of His infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against Him if He chose to exert his might.  

The very declaration of the holy name of God by the Son of God, drove them back, and cast them down to the earth. 

Thus, by the blast of God they might have perished, and by the breath of his nostrils they might have been consumed (See Job_4:9).

Therefore, those soldiers were witnesses of the power of God that night. Also, the willingness of Jesus Christ to set aside His power, in order to die in our place, for our sins, was on full display. 

No man or band of soldiers could take Jesus' life from Him!

John 10:17-18  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18)  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

Read this text carefully and make the connection with what John told us happened, when Jesus said "I am!"

Jesus said He had power to lay His life down for us, and He had power to take it up again at His resurrection. "No man taketh it from me!" 

Thus, the words of Jesus that knocked them all down to the ground, demonstrate that no man could take Jesus' life. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

John begins to tell us about the final hours of Jesus' life. He wanted us to make the connection between King David fleeing Jerusalem, and Jesus leaving Jerusalem.

This reminds us of how interconnected all scripture is, and that we must study the Old Testament so that we do not miss it's connections with the New Testament scriptures. 

The Spirit of God wove that picture of Christ into the historical narrative of David's life. 

John tells us how Judas came to arrest Jesus with an overwhelming force, as if He were a powerful, wicked criminal. 

A more stark contrast cannot be imagined. The sinless Son of God always did what was right, spoke truth and demonstrated the heart of God toward mankind. 

He was the polar opposite of a threat to society.

John wants us to see the power of Jesus saying the divine name, "I am." Jesus demonstrated that He could have undone all of those men with a word, but He chose not to. 

No wonder Paul speaks of the gospel of Christ, as the power of God unto salvation. No man could take Jesus' life from Him. He laid it down voluntarily, for our sakes. 

John was moved by the Holy Spirit to record these truths for us, so that we might believe the gospel and be born again!

I pray that the Lord will open the eyes of those who do not know Him, to these truths, and that today will be the day of salvation for many souls!

Bob