John 18 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

18:4 knowing all that was going to happen to him. Jesus was not taken by surprise.

18:9 would be fulfilled. Words normally used in quoting Scripture, and Jesus’ words are on the same level (see 6:39; 17:12).

18:11 the cup. Often points to suffering (see Ps 75:8; Eze 23:31 and note) and the wrath of God (see notes on Ps 16:5; Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15; Ro 1:18; Rev 14:10). the Father has given me. The Synoptic Gospels also speak of the cup at the time of Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane (see Mt 26:39; Mk 14:36; Lk 22:42 and notes), and John says it came from the Father. God was in control.

18:13 Annas. Had been deposed from the high priesthood by the Romans in AD 15 but was probably still regarded by many as the true high priest. In Jewish law no one could be sentenced on the day their trial was held. The two examinations—this one (mentioned only by John; see note on Mk 14:53–15:15) and the one before Caiaphas—may have been conducted to give some form of legitimacy to what was done.

18:14 Caiaphas . . . had advised the Jewish leaders. A reference to 11:49–50 (see notes on 11:49, 51). For John it was this unconscious prophecy that mattered most about Caiaphas. John may also have been hinting that a fair trial could not be expected from a man who had already said that putting Jesus to death was expedient.

18:25 they asked him. Some find a difficulty in that Mt 26:71 says another girl asked this question, whereas Mk 14:69 says it was the same girl, and Lk 22:58 that it was a man. But with a group of servants talking around a fire, several would doubtless take up and repeat such a question, which could be the meaning of John’s “they.” As on the first occasion (v. 17) the question anticipated the answer “No.” The servants probably did not really expect to find a follower of Jesus in the high priest’s courtyard, but the question seemed worth asking.

18:27 a rooster began to crow. The fulfillment of the prophecy in 13:38 (see note there).

18:31 Take him yourselves. In other words, no Roman charge, no Roman trial. no right to execute anyone. They were looking for an execution, not a fair trial. The restriction was important, for otherwise Rome’s supporters could be quietly removed by local legal executions. Sometimes the Romans seem to have tolerated local executions (e.g., of Stephen, Ac 7), but normally they retained the right to inflict the death penalty.

18:32 the kind of death he was going to die. Cf. 12:32–33 and “must” in 12:34. Jewish execution was by stoning, but Jesus’ death was to be by crucifixion, whereby he would bear the curse (see Dt 21:22–23 and note on 21:23). The Romans, not the Jews, had to put Jesus to death. God was overruling in the whole process.

18:36 My kingdom. Jesus agrees that he has a kingdom but asserts that it is not the kind of kingdom that has soldiers to fight for it. It was not built, nor is it maintained, by military might.