Jesus’ Arrest in the Garden, part 4

May 11, 2024

Notes from John 18

Vs. 3, the confrontation of Jesus by Judas Iscariot with …

a Roman “detachment,” σπεῖρα, speira, 1/10th of a legion, 600 men under normal circumstances; cf. Luke 22:47, “a multitude,” a different word, but used elsewhere to describe 120 disciples of Jesus in Acts 1:15
“officers from the chief priests and Pharisees,” ὑπηρέτης, huperetes, literally “under-rowers,” usually translated “servants, helpers, attendants”; some differentiate them from the Jewish temple guards and others with them
“lanterns, torches and weapons”

——lantern—φανός, phanos, “light, brightness”

——torch—λαμπάς, lampas, cf. “bright and morning star,” Rev. 22:16

——weapons—clubs are noted in Matthew 26:55

Vs. 4, “Jesus …knowing all things”—Jesus’ awareness and a sign of volunteer submission to the Father’s will

Vs. 4, “Jesus … went forward”—offering himself voluntarily; notice too that he identifies himself willing, “I am He” (3X, vs. 5, 6, 8), literally, Ἐγώ εἰμι, cf. Ex. 3:14

Vs. 6, “they drew back and fell to the ground”—did the Jews recoil from the “blasphemy”? Was it divine intervention (Ps. 27:2; Luke 4:28-30)?

Vs. 8b-9, “let these go … that the saying might be fulfilled … I have lost none”—see John 6:39; 17:12.

Vs. 10, “Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear”—a sword in the hand of a fisherman, a machaira, μάχαιρα; did Peter misunderstand Luke 22:35-38 (cf. John 18:36)?

—Only John names the servant (Malchus), and only Luke notes that Jesus heals the servant (Luke 22:51), notably Jesus’ last miracle before the cross.

—V. 11, “Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

—“the cup”—Jesus had just come from the Passover meal which highlights four cups: