John 18:1–3

CHAP. XVIII.

HItherto John hath recorded Christs life and doctrine, with some miracles confirming the same; insisting chiefly on what the rest of the Evangelists had omitted. Now he proceeds to record his exercise and sufferings, chap. 18, and 19. and his begun victory over them, in his resurrection, which was confirmed by several apparitions, chap. 20, and 21.

Christs sufferings may be taken up in this order. 1. His sufferings in the Garden, where he was taken. 2. His sufferings in the High Priests hall. 3. His sufferings in Pilats judgement-hall. 4 His sufferings in Mount Calvarie, the place where he was crucified. 5. His burial, which was the capestone of his sufferings. In handling of all which, albeit an harmony of all the Evangelists would take in all circumstances, Yet I shall keep by what John saith, (who, no doubt, hath a sufficient, as all of them together, an abundant Narration) clearing what is spoken here, and so far as I necessary, from the rest. And however every particular and circumstance of his sufferings be full of rich mysteries which can hardly be dipped into; Yet we cannot go wrong, if in interpreting thereof, we follow these general Rules. 1. That Christ really suffered and died for his people, and in their stead; satisfying divine justice for them, and bearing that curse which was due to man for sin, 1 Pet. 3.18. and elsewhere. 2. That Christ did suffer all this meekly and willingly, not by compulsion or constraint, Isa. 53.7. Joh. 10.17, 18. 3. That by what he suffered, is pointed out what we deserved, and that by his suffering of it, we are delivered from it, and a contrary good purchased unto us. He was condemned by an High Priest, that we, who deserved condemnation, might be absolved by our High Priest: He ware a crown of thornes that we might ware a crown of glory, &c. 4. That in his way of suffering, he is a pattern to his people, how they ought to bear the afflictions he sends upon them, 1 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22, 23. 5. That by his drinking the cup of sufferings, he hath sanctified these afflictions to his members and followers, who fill up what is behinde of his sufferings, Col. 1.14. Namely, in so far as they are a testimony to the truth. See Joh. 15.18.

In this Chapter, first, John records Christs sufferings in the Garden, (whether he went after his former doctrine and prayer, v. 1. and to which Judas (as knowing the place, v. 2.) brought a band of men to take him, v. 3) Where, after a conference with these who came to take him; Wherein he gives a proofe of his Deity, though he be going to suffer, v. 4, 5, 6. and exempts his disciples from the trial, v. 7, 8, 9. And, after a reprehension of Peters rash behaviour, v. 10, 11. He is taken and bound, and carried away to the High Priests, v. 12, 13, 14. Secondly, He records Christs sufferings in the High Priests hall, together with Peters threefold slip there. And, 1. He declares how Peter with some difficultie, getting in after his Master, v. 15, 16. doth at the voice of a damsel, deny him, v. 17. and yet stayeth still in a place so full of snares, v 18. 2. He giveth an account of Christs conflict with the High Priest, v. 19, 20, 21. and with one of his servants, v. 22, 23, 24. 3. He declareth that Peter, staying still there, did yet twice deny his Master, v. 25, 26, 27. Thirdly, He recordeth a part of Christs trial in Pilates judgement-hall, to which the Jewes brought him, v. 28. Wherein after some debates betwixt Pilate and the Jews, about entring of the processe, v 29, 30, 31, 32. Pilate examines him concerning his kingdome, and gets a meet answer, v 32, 34, 35, 36, 37. Which Pilate little heeding goeth out to the Jewes, and absolveth Christ, v. 38. and endeavours (but in vain) to release him, by occasion of their custome at the feast, v. 39, 40.

John, omitting Christs agony in the garden, as having been largely spoken to by the rest, and contenting himselfe to record (in this part of the Chapter) how he was taken and bound there, and carried away from thence; He doth premit three necessary particulars to that Naration; The first whereof, (in these verses) is the conveening of all parties in this place, He first records how Jesus, after the former sweet exercise, goeth out of the Citie to this garden beyond the brook Cedron, with his disciples v. 1. Next, he declareth that this being a place frequently haunted by Christ and his disciples, and so known to Judas, v. 2. He came there well guarded, to take him, v. 3. I need not here insist to describe this garden, nor yet to shew that as Adam sinned in a garden, so Christ would suffer in a garden, to expiate the guilt of this sin in all his people. But we may from v. 1. Learn, 1. It is the duty of Christs followers, not to expect alwayes so sweet a life as preaching, hearing, communicating and prayer, but to lay their account that after such exercises, they may be called to suffer, and after fair blenks, may meet with black stormes; for, so much doth Christs example teach, who, when he had spoken these words, (in preaching and prayer, and had instistute and celebrate the Supper) he went forth, &c. to his trial. 2. Such as have committed themselves to God, and lest any of whom they have charge, on him, may very safely leave them in the midst of hazards, and themselves hazard to look trouble in the face; for, more particularly, When Jesus had spoken these words, (in the former prayer, wherein he had prayed to the Father for himselfe, and left his disciples upon him) he went forth to encounter death, and is not affraid to be taken from his disciples, and leave them in the world, since he had put them in so sure a hand. 3. It is the duty of the Lords people to be resolute in undergoing suffering, and to offer themselves voluntarily to God, to underly it, in so far as they have a calling; And herein Christ is an eminent pattern, who went forth over the brook Cedron (a little brook running betwixt Jerusalem and the mount of Olives, of which see 2 King 23.6. and elsewhere) and entred into the garden, where he was to meet with several conflicts. 4. His taking his disciples with him, and their following of him, may serve to teach; Partly, how affectionatly Christ is to be followed, when he is foretelling of his departure; for, on their part it imports their hanging on him, Luk. 22 39. as Elisha did on Elijah till the fiery chariot parted them. Partly, That we should be thrifty in spending every moment of our time, whatever encumbrances we have; for, Christ in all this throng, took them with him, that by the way he might informe them of their scattering, and appoint the meeting place after his resurrection, as it is recorded, Matth. 26.31, 32. Partly, That Christ hath sanctified in his own person, the desolate and low condition of his people, wherein they would be glad of the meanest encouragement, even from the company of weak Christians, and yet cannot have it; for, he also took them with him that they might watch with him in his agony, wherein yet they disappointed him, as is recorded Mat. 26.38, 40. And partly, That as naturally we are averse from trouble, especially from suffering for Christ; So it is his peoples duty to train and breed themselves for such lots, both by the observation of the courage of others, Heb. 6.12. and 12.1. (which, no doubt, made many in the primitive times so stout) and by the observation of their own weaknesse in lesser assayes, that being humbled thereby, they may put themselves in Christs hand, who may make notable instruments of these who at first are very weak; Therefore also did he take them with him, not that they might suffer at this time, but that they might be bred for their after sufferings, by beholding his courage and power, and by getting a taste of their own weaknesse, to make them more selfe-denied, and eager to recover themselves at another time. 5. Such as would bear out under trial and persecution, ought not to be found sleeping, but in the first place should make all sure with God, that trial do not surprize them, while they have not entreated the face of the Lord, 1 Sam. 13.12. Therefore also doth he enter into the Garden, that there he may endure his agony, and wrastle with his Father, before Judas came, as is cleared by the rest.

From v. 2, 3. Learn, 1. As it is our duty to be very diligent with God when troubles are eminent or incumbent; So we ought not to leave all to the pinch of extremity, but should be making ready before-hand; for, Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. See Luk. 21.37. and 22.39. And this he did, not only to sanctifie unto his followers ill entertainment, notwithstanding the services they do to the world, as he preached all day, and yet lay in the fields all night, Luke 21.37. or, to sanctifie essayes of hazards and trials, whereby they are fitted for greater trouble when it cometh; as he was long before so pursued, as he could not conveniently lodge by night in Jerusalem; But further, he did this, that in the night time he might give himself there to prayer, (as was his custome,) Mat. 14.23.) and that before his Agony came. 2. As beleevers ought not to rush upon trials without a calling, so they ought not timerously to decline them, but should set their face toward them, Luke 9.51. Mark 10.32. for he went where Judas knew the place, to shew that as he would not run to Judas, so he would not go out of his usual way, though he knew his knowing of it would afford him an advantage. 3. Christ may be persecuted by men who have been very eminent in his service; even by one of his twelve Apostles, as Judas was, and by them who in their office were types of himself, such as the chief Priests were. And this should prevent our stumbling at the defection of such, and by this all are warned, that were they never so eminent, or had stood never so long, yet they ought to take heed of an entertained idol, lest that draw them in the snare, as these Priests were by their credit, and Judas by his love to the world. 4. Wicked apostates and persecutors are not asleep in their designes and actings, but are very vigilant and active, when, it may be, Christs followers are asleep and carelesse; for, in the dark night Judas cometh with his crew, and that at the time when Christ could not get his disciples kept awake, as is recorded, Matth. 26.45, 46, 47. 5. Christ will not stand to let persecutors have all outward advantages of him, that so his victory over them may be more conspicuous; for, therefore is there a Judas who knew his retiring places, to lead out a band of men, (of these Romanes who kept the Tower next the Temple, whether with Pilates consent or not, is not needful to determine) and officers or servants from the chief Priests and Pharisees, and that with lanternes, and torches, and weapons. And all this against Christ him alone. They made use of lanternes and torches, although it was full moon at the time of the feast, that so they might be sure to finde him out. 6. Persecutors want not their own feares and tossings, in the violent courses they undertake against Christ and his people; but may have, ofttimes, more perplexity, then the sufferers have in bearing what they are permitted to inflict; for, therefore also was it that Judas came, and they sent him thus attended and provided; even out of fear lest the matter should miscarry.