John 18:4–6

The second thing premitted to Christs taking in the Garden, is, a conference betwixt him and them who came to take him. The conference is twofold, or the same conference twice repeated, in order to his twofold scope in it. His scope in the first conference (in these verses) is, to give a proof of his Deity, even in this his low condition, as may be gathered from the progresse. In it we may consider, 1. The posture wherein Christ was at their coming, v. 4.— which was the cause of his so couragious going out to them, and his conferring so mildly with them; where it is to be conceived, as is recorded by the rest, that he is now a little eased of his Agony, Luke 22.43. and that (as is here recorded) he saw clearly through all the sufferings he was to meet with, and so is composed in his minde. 2. The conference it self, v. 4, 5. wherein, enquiring and getting an account that they were seeking Jesus, he meekly informes that it was he. 3. The effect that followed upon this declaration, v. 6. his meek word is accompanied with so much divine power, that upon the hearing thereof, they fall backward to the ground.

From v. 4, 5. Learn, 1. Peace with God in a trial will make all the rest of the trial, in so far as it is outward, very easie; for, his stout and meek going forth to encounter trouble, followeth upon his ease of his Agony. 2. The Lord can so order the exercises of his people, as however they may have heavy pressures upon their minde; yet he can intermit the extremity thereof when they need strength for outward difficulties, and let it return again when the strait is over; for, so it seemeth did he deal with his Son, who though he had an inward Agony all the while of his passion, yet the violence thereof is intermitted in the Garden, when they came to him, and we hear no more of it till they leave him on the Crosse, where again he is made to cry out of it. 3. The consideration of the inevitablenesse of trouble, in Gods providence, ought to make us willingly stoop thereunto; especially, when we have tasted of former gracious deliverances and preservation, we ought to stoop when his houre cometh, and not seek alwayes to be free; for, Jesus therefore knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth; That is, knowing that this was the time of his suffering, and that now he was not to be preserved and hid as formerly, he went forth to them, and not away, as at other times he had done. 4. There is nothing makes us more readily to be dashed with trouble, then our not knowing or considering what trouble is: when we misrepresent trouble, it terrifieth, but when we look, not only on the necessity and inevitablenesse, but on the usefulnesse, measure, and event of it, it will appear much more tolerable, and rather a friend then an enemy; for, so much also is imported in this, Jesus knowing all things, &c. went forth. He saw through his sufferings what they should be, and what they would tend to, and therefore was not afraid, but went forth. 5. Such as are at peace with God, and have seen through their sufferings, will be in a very composed frame, and at themselves, in the height thereof; for, this conference and enquiry, Whom seek ye? imports not any ignorance or curiosity, but, that on his part, he was meek and composed, his Agony being somewhat setled, and he seeing through his trouble. 6. It concernes persecutors to take good heed what they are doing, and especially to consider with whom they have to do, and against whom their attempts are; for, this question, Whom seek ye? as to them, imports that they should have considered whom they were seeking, which if they had well considered, they had not done as they did, 1 Cor. 2.8. 7. The Lord, when he pleaseth, can hide and preserve his people, not only among lions and in sires, but even in the midst of their foes; for, their answer importeth, that at first, albeit Judas stood with them, yet they knew him not, otherwise they had not so spoken, we seek Jesus of Nazareth, but we seek thee. See Gen. 19.11. 2 Kings 16.18, 19, &c. Jer. 36.26. 8. It is the usual trade of Satan and his instruments, to hide Christ and his followers with reproachful titles, that under these they may persecute them more securely; for, so much doth the name given to Christ by them, Jesus of Nazareth, import, A contemptible and false designation, invented by the Pharisees, and in stilled into the multitudes head, that so they might the more safely persecute him, without fearing to wrong their Messiah, who was to come out of Bethlehem. And this may warn us, that where Christ and his Ordinances are traduced, contemned and reproached, there he may be crucified. 9. Christ our Lord did not shift trouble, but voluntarily offered himself when he was sought in his peoples stead, that so enemies might blame themselves if they were not satisfied; Therefore, saith he, I am he, and shifts it not. 10. It is subjoyned to this answer, that Judas which betrayed him, stood with them, not only to point out Christs meeknesse, who gives this answer, though provoked by his presence. And to point out the Providence of God, who hid him that he could not be known, though Judas was with them. But further it points out, That Apostates will grow very impudent, and that this is taken notice of by Christ; Therefore, it is marked, that in this black course, Judas impudently stood with them.

From v, 6. Learn, 1. It was not the power of men prevailing over Christ, but his own willingnesse, that brought him to suffer; nor would Christ have any thing to out shine his affection in his sufferings; Therefore before he is taken, he causeth them go backward, and fall to the ground, to testifie that they could not have taken him, unlesse he had consented to it. 2. It is a very dreadful and terrible thing to be in opposition to Christ, how contemptible soever he and his followers seem to be; for, so much doth this shake upon them who came to take him, teach us. 3. Beleevers may expect that much of divine power will be manifested upon and about them, in their sufferings; for, so did Christ their forerunner finde in his sufferings. 4. Proofs of Gods power are to be expected by sufferers, not so much to exempt them from suffering and trouble; as (beside their being inwardly supported thereby) to convince enemies, if possible, and to let see what he can do, if it were needful; for, such was the proof Christ got here, in that they went backward, and fell to the ground, whereby he convinced them of the evil of their way, and how ineffectual he could make it, if he pleased, though he let the trial go on. 5. The Word of Christ, how contemptible soever it seem to be, is full of Majesty, and accompanied with divine power, and terrour to his enemies, when he pleaseth to let it out; for, Assoon as he said to them I am he, they went backward, &c. And if his Lambs voice was so terrible, how dreadful will he be, when he roares as a Lion? and if that sweet word, I am he, which comforted the disciples, John 6.20. be their terrour, how terrible will it be, when he speaks to them as they deserve?