Musings From the Gospel of John – Number 48

The Scriptures covered in this post are from John 18:1-11

John 18:1-11 NASB reads as follows:
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went away with His disciples across the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas, who was betraying Him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, came out into the open and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. Now then, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. He then asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you are seeking Me, let these men go on their way.”This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, since he had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, am I not to drink it?”

The ravine of the Kidron was a brook, in a ravine, that was between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, that was there during the time of Jesus’ ministry. You will note that John indicates there is a garden, where Jesus had often met there, with His disciples, before. So I would think that this would be the Garden of Gethsemane, which was situated on the Mount of Olives, which is situated on the other side of the Kidron valley, across from Jerusalem, that John makes note of.

Judas appears separately, not being with the other disciples currently in company with Jesus, bringing with him a detachment of Roman soldiers (Roman cohort) plus officers of the temple police under the command of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin. John specifically notes that they were armed with weapons.

Did Jesus know what was about to take place? Yes He did because John specifically tells us that Jesus knew all the things that were coming upon Him. Jesus steps out from the other disciples that were with Him and questions those approaching with regard to whom they are looking for. They reply “Jesus, the Nazarene” and Jesus replies, “I am He”.

John tells us that Judas is with those who state they are looking for “Jesus the Nazarene” and when Jesus responds “I am He”, look at what John says happens next. They collectively drew back and fell to the ground. Why would they draw back and fall to the ground? John doesn’t specifically tell us “why” they drew back or fell to the ground but I am thinking that the presence of Jesus, in Himself, as the Son of God, either involuntarily or voluntarily, causes them to do this.

Jesus could have taken advantage of this situation but He does not. Instead Jesus asks them again who they are looking for and they respond again and Jesus responds again by saying what He had already said before. “I am He”. Then carefully note what Jesus does. His concern is NOT for Himself but those disciples with Him. “Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you are seeking Me, let these men go on their way.”This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”

“Then Simon Peter, since he had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, am I not to drink it?”

And how did Simon Peter come to have a sword with him? Jesus had actually told His disciples to procure some previously, but it is important to find out the purpose behind this directive of Jesus. See Luke 22:35-38 NASB. Note THE REASON given by Jesus in this particular Scripture: “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with wrongdoers’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

A couple of swords on the disciples, in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested, validated the prophecy about Jesus being counted with the perceived wrongdoers. Compare with Isaiah 53:12 NASB. Those swords were necessary to validate the appearance of, but they were not sanctioned to be used, to harm others. Apparently Peter did not yet grasp that aspect, at this particular point in time. Note that Jesus specifically tells Peter what to do with his sword and what Peter’s actions were at cross purposes with. Also note that Jesus restores or heals the right ear of the High Priest’s servant that was inadvertently cut off (Luke 22:49-51).

One has to wonder about how this personally affected Malchus and those who witnessed this miracle of restoration. Apparently it did not affect them enough, again, at this particular point in time. One cannot help but also notice how Jesus Himself was totally focused on drinking the cup that His Father had given Him, while at the same time, protecting His disciples, even to the extent of restoring the ear of one that was sent to arrest Him.

This is our Jesus, the Son of God.

More to follow.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!