Dr. Randy White
A Dark Place | Verse 1
John 18:1 is the only place in which the brook Cedron (now called the Kidron Brook is mentioned by name in the Bible. But it is, nonetheless, a prominent place just outside the eastern walls of Jerusalem. The word brook is χείμαρρος [cheimarros], which is nothing more than a natural channel in which water flows during foul weather only.
The Hebrew name, Kidron, means dark or turbid. And, in fact, the recorded events of this location are either dark or turbid. Consider these Biblical events:
· David passed over the brook when Absalom was establishing himself as King (2 Sam. 15:23).
· The ancient monument to Absalom is on the brook (2 Sam. 18:18).
· King Solomon had Shimei executed for crossing the Kidron (1 Kings 2:33).
· The idols of Queen Maachah (mother of Asa) were burned at the Kidron (1 Kings 15:13).
· During the days of Josiah’s reforms, the idols were burned at the brook Kidron, and the ashes scattered on the graves (2 Kings 23:4-6).
· The brook is the border of the millennial Temple (Jer. 31:40).
The Gospel mentions that at this brook there was a garden, which is the Garden of Gethsemane (the garden of the olive press), at the base of the Mount of Olives.
A Spineless Man | verse 2
The last time we have seen Judas was at the Last Supper, when Jesus gave a mysterious indication that Judas would betray the Lord. However, the indication was not clear enough that those sitting with Jesus knew that Judas was the betrayer (Jn. 13:25-30). But now, at the time of the arrest, Judas knew the place to find Jesus, and came to betray Him. This place was a common “campground” for Jesus when He came to Jerusalem (compare Lk 21:37, 22:39).
Judas could have betrayed Jesus in plain daylight. He could have been clear enough of his intentions that the disciples knew who he really was. But right up to the last he was a deceiver, never showing his true colors, even in the betrayal kiss.
A Fearless Response | verses 3-5
Judas (being a coward), had gathered a band of men and met Jesus in the garden with their weapons (v. 3). But Rather than run and hide, Jesus went forth to greet them (v. 4) and boldly and clearly answered, I am he when asked of the whereabouts Jesus of Nazareth (v. 5).
And who was this band of men? The Greek word σπεῖρα [speira] is one-tenth of a legion, thus 600 men. Bullinger notes that “the term was probably used with some latitude.” The word is only used in a military sense in the New Testament, and always in situations in which a very large number is understood.
An Unusaul Prophecy | Verse 6
Before we look at verse 6, let’s spend a few minutes in the Psalms. Each of the 150 Psalms in prophetic, and many of them contain prophecies of Messiah’s death as well as His future reign. Consider Psalm 27:2, 40:14 and 70:2-3. Notice that each of these Messianic and prophetic Psalms speaks of a falling or turning backward. And the prophecy of Scripture is so precise that each and every word must be fulfilled.
Only the fourth Gospel tells us that when Jesus introduced Himself as the One they were looking for, they went backward, and fell to the ground. This is perhaps the most underreported aspect of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. We should take the plain sense meaning of this statement. By supernatural power (what else would it have been), the men fell to the ground. There is no basis upon which to take this as “figuratively speaking.”
But why did this happen? No doubt it was to fulfill prophecy. But also (I suspect), as a display of the power of our Lord to convince everyone that Jesus was not taken against His will, for without His full cooperation, the band of men (v. 3) was fully and totally helpless.
A Complete Resolve | Verses 7-9
I love verse 7. It is God’s humor at its best. Having heard the question and given the response, now the soldiers are laid out flat…and then Scripture records that Jesus then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? (v. 7).
I think this humor in the face of disaster speaks of the resolve of our Savior to be obedient to His Father. Jesus uses the occasion to emphasize that He alone is the one that should be arrested, saying let these go their way (v. 8, speaking of the disciples with Him). Jesus can go to the cross with confidence knowing that Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none (v. 9). He has been faithful, and now will be faithful unto death.
