Asbury Bible Commentary – 1. Arrest (18:1-11)
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1. Arrest (18:1-11)

1. Arrest (18:1-11)

Jesus' arrest took place in an olive grove on the other side of the Kidron Valley (v.1), known from the other gospels as the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas knew the place and guided a posse of Roman soldiers and officials from the Jews to the exact location (vv.2-3). John stresses the authority of Jesus through this entire scene. With supernatural knowledge of what was to happen, it was he who confronted the officers, and not the other way around (v.4). To their declaration that they were after Jesus of Nazareth, he frankly admitted his identity, and with that word they fell to the ground (vv.5-6). When, at his prompting, they repeated their object, he showed concern for his followers, rather than himself, and asked that they be allowed to go free (vv.7-8). In this way he kept his promise to preserve his own (v.9; cf. 6:39; 10:28; 17:12). Finally he repudiated Peter’s vigorous defense of him, though it was the action itself and not the ineptitude of the swordsmanship that drew his reaction (vv.10-11). Because submission, not resistance, was the Father’s will, it was his will, too (cf. 12:27-28).