John 18:1-14 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden… (text and vers. 19-24): — I. THE PRISONER: Jesus. 1. The dignity pertaining to Him. (1) An innocent man. (2) A religious teacher. (3) A philanthropic citizen. (4) A patient sufferer. (5) Incarnate God. 2. The indignity put upon Him. (1) Seized by those He had befriended. (2) Bound by those He desired to liberate. (3) Led away as a criminal by those who were themselves transgressors. (4) Placed at the bar of one who should have been His advocate rather than His judge. II. THE JUDGE. Annas or Caiaphas. 1. Head of the State, the high priest ought to have protected the interests of Jesus, as a member thereof; and, above all, ought to have dispensed justice and right judgment. 2. Holder of a sacred office, he ought to have been incapable of violating the claims of either truth or right. 3. Vicegerent of Jehovah, he ought to have stood forth the champion of God's law. III. THE EXAMINATION. 1. Its character. Preliminary, followed by a second (ver. 24; Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53) and a third (Luke 22:66). The first was the practical, the second the potential, the third the actual and formal decision that sentence of death should be passed judicially upon Him. That of Annas was the authoritative praejudicium; that of Caiaphas, the real determination; that of the entire Sanhedrim at daybreak, the final ratification. 2. Its object. To entrap Christ into admissions which might afterwards be used against Him. 3. Its course. (1) The crafty question (ver. 19). (2) The prudent answer (ver. 20). (3) The undeserved blow (ver, 23). (4) The gentle response (ver. 23). IV. THE VERDICT. 1. Symbolized; by replacing the fetters, which had probably been removed during the trial. 2. Interpreted. Equivalent to an intimation that Annas regarded Jesus as a dangerous character, an uncomfortable person for unscrupulous schemers to bare in their path, and, therefore, as one who had better be removed. It was so understood by Caiaphas. 3. Pronounced. Afterwards to the court of Caiaphas, and again in a full meeting of the Sanhedrim. Lessons: 1. The unspeakable condescension of Christ. 2. The infinite meekness of Christ. 3. The unflinching boldness of Christ. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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