Answers for the Gospel of John Chapter 18

About These Answers


1. How did Judas know where to find Jesus?

Where they went every evening according to Luke

Luke 21:37-39:

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

2. Why did the arrest occur at night outside the city and not while Jesus was at the temple teaching during the day?

Because the plan was to arrest Jesus when no crowd was present

Luke 22:1-6:


Matt 26:3-5:


3. What does verse 4 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John tell you about Jesus Christ?

That he willingly laid down his life and chose to submit to The Father’s will; He was focused on the victory


1. In verses 5 through 7 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John Jesus twice asks the mob “Who is it you want?”. The mob replies both times “Jesus of Nazareth”. Jesus’ response to both replies was “I am he”. What possible reasons are there for the mob falling back after the first response?

Several theories are possible for their falling down but no one knows for sure which is correct. Some of the theories are:

  • The frank, open, and fearless manner in which Jesus addressed them may have convinced them of his innocence, and deterred them from prosecuting their wicked attempt.

  • His disclosure of himself was sudden and unexpected; and while they perhaps anticipated that he would make an effort to escape, they were amazed at his open and bold profession.

  • Their consciences reproved them for their crimes, and probably the firm, decided, and yet mild manner in which Jesus addressed them, the expression of his unequalled power in knowing how to find the way to the consciences of men, made them feel that they were in the presence of more than mortal man. Barnes' Notes

  • Our Lord chose to give them this proof of his infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against him if he chose to exert his might, seeing that the very breath of his mouth confounded, drove back, and struck them down to the earth. Thus by the blast of God they might have perished, and by the breath of his nostrils they might have been consumed: Job 4:9. Adam Clarke's Commentary

  • struck down by a power such as that which smote Saul of Tarsus and his companions to the earth (Acts 26:14). It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. 'This,' as Meyer well remarks, 'occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up.'Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary

  • See how he terrified them, and obliged them to retire (verse 6): They went backward, and, like men thunder-struck, fell to the ground. It should seem, they did not fall forward, as humbling themselves before him, and yielding to him, but backward, as standing it out to the utmost. Thus Christ was declared to be more than a man, even when he was trampled upon as a worm, and no man. This word, I am he, had revived his disciples, and raised them up (Matt 14:27); but the same word strikes his enemies down. Hereby he showed plainly what he could have done with them. When he struck them down, he could have struck them dead; when he spoke them to the ground, he could have spoken them to hell, and have sent them, like Korah's company, the next way thither; but he would not do so,

    [1.] Because the hour of his suffering was come, and he would not put it by; he would only show that his life was not forced from him, but he laid it down of himself, as he had said.

    [2.] Because he would give an instance of his patience and forbearance with the worst of men, and his compassionate love to his very enemies. In striking them down, and no more, he gave them both a call to repent and space to repent; but their hearts were hardened, and all was in vain.

    What he will do at last with all his implacable enemies, that will not repent to give him glory; they shall flee, they shall fall, before him. Now the scripture was accomplished (Ps 21:12), Thou shalt make them turn their back, and Ps 20:8. And it will be accomplished more and more; with the breath of his mouth he will slay the wicked, 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 19:21.Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.

    2. What do you think might have been going through the minds of the mob when Jesus asked them a second time “Who is it you want” in verse 7 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John?

    They might have been saying to one another “You ask him” and been frightened because of what happened the first time. Perhaps they were dazed and confused and still trying to figure out what had just happened to them.

    3. What scripture is verse 9 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John referring to and what does it say about Judas Iscariot?

    John 17:12 - Judas was not given to Jesus by God

    12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (likely Ps 109:6-19)KJV



    1. Why do you think Peter drew his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear?

    Peter had just earlier in the evening asserted his allegiance to Jesus even if it would cost him his life. Jesus states his allegiance is not what Peter thinks it is and he will deny Jesus three times that night.

    Here, Peter could have been trying to show his allegiance or perhaps he was aiming for Judas’ head and missed. Perhaps he was encouraged by Jesus knocking them backwards. Perhaps he was defending himself as well as the other disciples seeing that this occurred just after Jesus stated “let these men go.” In any regard it was a brave act, misguided though it may have been.

    2. Why when Jesus was arrested might it have been a confusing event for the disciples?

    a. Jesus had committed no crimeb. Jesus was the Son of Godc. Jesus was the Messiahd. Jesus had:

    • just knocked the mob down
    • been hailed as King and Messiah upon his entry to Jerusalem
    • raised a man from the dead
    • walked on water
    • rebuked a storm
    • vanished at will on previous attempts to arrest him


    3. Why did Peter follow Jesus and why was that remarkable?

    I think Peter may have:

    • still wanted to prove his loyalty to Jesus
    • still wanted to protect Jesus
    • still been impulsive

    It was remarkable in that Peter had just cut off Malchus’ ear in front of everyone and now he actually stands among the mob in the high priest’s court yard. There must have been quite a commotion with the appearance of Jesus (as usual) and the talk of his knocking down the mob, then healing an ear that was cut off


    1. By reading the following verses, what do we learn about the wrongdoing Jesus was accused to have committed?

    • John 18:19-20 - Conspiracy

    • Mark 15:3 - Accused of many things

    • Luke 23:2 - Subverting the nation, opposed a payment of taxes to Caesar, Claimed to be Christ a king

    • Luke 23:5 - Stirs up the people all over Judea

    • Luke 23:13-14 - One who was inciting the people to rebel

    • John 18:30 - A criminal

    2. What do the following verses 22 and 28 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John tell us about the Jewish authorities?

    Verse 22: they were zealous more for the pride of an official than the truth

    Verse 28: they were zealous more for the symbol of their redemption than their redemptive savior

    3. From reading verses 28 through 31 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John, why did the Jews bring Jesus to Pilate, the Roman Governor?

    Because they wanted to have him killed


    1. Peter faced certain punishment and death if he was to admit Jesus was the Christ. Later in life Peter was crucified for his admission. Today we sometimes act like Peter did and deny Christ. What consequences do we fear for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ and how can we overcome or welcome those consequences?


    2. Verse 32 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John says Jesus prophesied about the kind of death he would die. What verse is it where we see this prophecy recorded?

    Matt 20:17-19


    Matt 26:1-2

    26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

    Luke 18:31-33


    John 3:14-15


    John 12:32-33


    3. What do we learn about Jesus’ kingdom from verses 36 and 37 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John?

    • It is not of this world, it is of another place
    • Jesus has servants in his kingdom
    • They can and will fight to protect Jesus
    • Jesus was born to be a king


    What do verses 39 and 40 of Chapter 18 of the Gospel of John say about the Jews who petitioned Pilate?

    They were hypocrites in that they wanted to have Jesus (who was innocent) crucified for the same crime that Barabbas actually committed who they petitioned for release.

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