Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 18
Concise Complete
Christ taken in the garden. (1-12) Christ before Annas and
Caiaphas. (13-27) Christ before Pilate. (28-40)
Verses 1-12 Sin
began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer
was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the
old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our
gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a
garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth
and asked, Whom seek ye? When the people would have forced him to a crown, he
withdrew, ch. 6:15, but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered
himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to
reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck them down he
could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It must have been the
effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away
quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set us an example
of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of submission to God's will in every
thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is
given us; sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's
authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt.
From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighter
afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will,
or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with
the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to
free us from those bonds, himself submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we
owe our liberty; thus the Son makes us free.
Verses 13-27 Simon
Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the
other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of
lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another.
If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us
to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame
ourselves. They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had
done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ,
whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against it. He
appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all
that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of
injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the
injury, and so may we.
Verses 28-32 It
was unjust to put one to death who had done so much good, therefore the Jews
were willing to save themselves from reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill
thing, more than the sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the
Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying was fulfilled. He
had said that he should be crucified, lifted up. If the Jews had judged him by
their law, he had been stoned; crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is
determined concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall die:
this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord, what, when, and how,
thou hast appointed.
Verses 33-40 Art
thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long expected?
Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be
thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but
that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any earthly
power, never were any traitorous principles or practices laid to him. Christ
gave an account of the nature of his kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a
kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches
spiritual, its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not
worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used, force to maintain
and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object
and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in
effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules
by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those that
are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he said, What is truth? When we
search the Scriptures, and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this
inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all
truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to preserve in their
search after truth; or not humility enough to receive it. By this solemn
declaration of Christ's innocence, it appears, that though the Lord Jesus was
treated as the worst of evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it
unfolds the design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins.
Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom
than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many
rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our
accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.
Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
