Matthew 26:47-50a
Mark 14:43-45
Luke 22:47, 48
John 18:2, 3
Disciples Safety Insured
John 18:4-9
Peter Cuts off Ear
Matthew 26:50b-54
Mark 14:46, 47
Luke 22:49-51
John 18:10, 11
Jesus Chides Arrest
Matthew 26:55 56a
Mark 14:48, 49
Luke 22:52, 53
Jesus Arrested
Matthew 26:56b
Mark 14:50-52
John 18:12a
Trial and Crucifixion
Jesus was arrested on Thursday night when Judas led the Jewish
authorities to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus had been agonizing in
prayer over His approaching death. After a religious trial for blasphemy before
the Jewish Sanhedrin, He was turned over to the Roman authorities. The
Sanhedrin convinced Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to execute Jesus
because of their claim that He was a dangerous revolutionary who threatened the
authority of Rome.
Jesus was crucified on Friday morning,
then placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea before the beginning of the
Jewish Sabbath on Friday afternoon.
Jesus Betrayed and Arrested
Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke
22:47–53; John 18:1–12
Jn 18:1–2After Jesus had said these things, He
went out with His disciples across the Kidron ravine, where there was a garden
into which He and His disciples entered. 2Judas, who betrayed Him,
also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples. Mt
26:47While He was still speaking, Judas,
one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a large mob† [Jn 18:3aa detachment of soldiers and some temple police], with swords and
clubs [Jn 18:3bwith lanterns,
torches, and weapons], who were sent by the chief priests and elders of the
people.
Mt 26:48His betrayer had given them a sign [Mk
14:44signal]: “The one I kiss,
He’s the one; arrest Him Mk 14:44band get Him securely away.” Mt
26:49So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”—and kissed Him.
Mt 26:50a“Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you
come? [Lk 22:48bJudas, are you
betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?]”
Mt. 26:50bThen they came up, took hold of Jesus,
and arrested Him. Lk 22:49When those around Him saw what was going
to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Jn 18:10Then
Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut
off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.)
Mt 26:52Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in place because
all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. Jn 18:11bShould I
not drink the cup that the Father has given Me? Mt 26:53–54Or do you
think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more
than twelve legions of angels? 54How, then, would the Scriptures be
fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” Lk 22:51bAnd touching
his ear, He healed him.
Lk 22:52aThen Jesus said to the chief priests,
temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, Mt 26:55b“Have
you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture Me?
Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest
Me. Lk 22:53bBut this is your hour—and the dominion of darkness. Mt
26:56aBut all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures would be
fulfilled.”
Jn 18:12Then the detachment of soldiers, the captain, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. Mt 26:56bThen all the disciples deserted Him and ran away. Mk 14:51–52Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. And they caught hold of him. 52But he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
223–224). Holman Bible Publishers.
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
OPEN:
- Where do you go when you need to prepare yourself for a very stressful time?
- Why do the Pharisees want to take advantage of the night to arrest Jesus (see 3:19-20; 12:35; 13:30)?
- How do you think the disciples felt when they saw these menacing-looking people coming? Jesus used many "I am..." sayings (vine, light, bread). How do you explain John 18:6?
- Seeing how he deals with the soldiers (John 18:4,8) and Peter (John 18:11), what do you learn about Jesus?
- How does Peter show he still doesn't grasp what is going on?
- What is "the cup" which Jesus must drink (John 18:11)?
- Given his pacifism, why is Jesus bound (John 18:12)? Who's afraid of whom here? Why?
- Have you ever tried to obey Jesus, only to be overzealous and end up hurting someone? What happened?
- How does Jesus' decision to "drink the cup" (John 18:11) help you in your obedience to God? What issue of obedience is challenging you?
“The Cup and the Rooster”
Scripture:
John 18:1–27
Opening Reflections
John
18 ushers us into some of the most sobering moments in the gospel narrative.
The familiar garden, once a place of fellowship between Jesus and His
disciples, becomes the site of His betrayal and arrest. Within these verses, we
stand at the crossroads of divine sovereignty and human weakness; we see
unwavering obedience in the face of fear, and we see frail faith overshadowed
by self-preservation.
The events of John 18:1–27 revolve around two pivotal images: a
cup and a rooster. The cup represents Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will,
even unto death. The rooster represents Peter’s failure to stand boldly for his
Lord, despite his earlier promises. Together, they reveal two paths—infinite
obedience that brings salvation, and human weakness that needs redemption.
1. The Garden and the Arrest (vv. 1–11)
Jesus
leads His disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane, a place Judas knew well.
There is no attempt to hide, no running in fear. Judas arrives with soldiers,
lanterns, and weapons as if Jesus were a criminal. But Jesus steps forward and
greets them with a question: “Whom are you seeking?” When they answer, “Jesus
of Nazareth,” His response— “I am
he”— sends them reeling
backward.
In these words, we hear echoes of God’s self-disclosure to Moses: “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus isn’t a victim caught by
surprise. He is the sovereign Lord willingly laying down His life.
When Peter draws his sword and strikes Malchus, Jesus rebukes him:
“Put
your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given
me?” This “cup” is the
Father’s plan for redemption—a plan that involves the cross. It is a cup of
suffering, yet also a cup of salvation for the world.
Application:
Like Peter, we often want to fight our battles in our own strength—reacting
quickly, defending ourselves, and trying to control outcomes. But Jesus calls
us to a deeper trust in the Father’s will, even when His plan includes
suffering. The “cup” God gives us may not be easy to drink, but it is always
for His glory and our ultimate good.
2. The High Priest’s Courtyard (vv. 12–23)
Jesus
is bound and taken first to Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas,
the reigning high priest. Caiaphas had earlier said it was better for one man
to die for the people—a prophecy that spoke more truth than he realized.
Inside, the questioning begins. The high priest wants to trap
Jesus in His words, but Jesus responds with calm integrity: He has spoken
openly to the world; nothing He has taught was done in secret. For this
honesty, He is struck in the face by one of the officials.
The scene reminds us that Jesus suffers injustice not because He
was guilty, but because He was truth embodied. His willingness to bear
shame in silence reveals a courage unmatched in human history.
Application:
Standing for truth can lead to opposition, mockery, or even persecution. If our
Savior endured hostility for speaking what is right, we should not expect the
world to applaud when we live for Him. Yet, like Jesus, we can walk in peace
knowing that our lives are in the Father’s hands.
3. Peter’s Denial (vv. 15–27)
Outside,
Peter is in a different kind of trial—one that takes place in the shadows. Just
hours earlier, he promised Jesus, “I will lay down my life for You” (John 13:37). But now, standing by a charcoal
fire in the courtyard, fear takes over.
First denial: “I am not.”
Second denial: again, “I am
not.”
Third denial: “I am
not!”—and the rooster crows.
This moment pierces the heart. Peter’s failure shows us that even
our most sincere devotion can falter under pressure. It’s easy to pledge
loyalty in safe moments, but far harder when our comfort, safety, or reputation
is at risk.
Application:
None of us is immune to moments of compromise. We need the Spirit’s strength to
stand firm. Thankfully, the story of Peter doesn’t end here—Jesus will later
restore him (John 21). Our failures, like Peter’s, are opportunities for grace
to work deeper humility and dependence on Christ.
4. The Cup and the Rooster for Us Today
Together,
these two images—the cup Jesus drank and the rooster that crowed—capture the
essence of the Christian life.
- The Cup: We are called to
surrender our will to the Father’s, trusting that His plan is good, even
when costly. We drink the “cup” by laying down our pride, comforts, and
preferences to follow Him.
- The Rooster: This reminds us of
our weakness, our susceptibility to fear, and our desperate need for
Jesus. It is also a symbol of mercy—a call to repentance, because morning
always comes after the crowing of the rooster.
Prayer and Reflection
Prayer:
God, thank you for your Son’s drinking the cup—for enduring the arrest, the
mockery, and the cross for my sake. Forgive me for the times I have denied You
in my words or actions. Give me courage to stand for truth, humility to admit
my failures, and faith to follow You wherever You lead. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What “cup” is the Father asking
you to drink right now? Are you resisting or receiving it in trust?
- How do you tend to respond when
your faith is challenged—boldly like Jesus or in fear like Peter?
- Where have you experienced the
grace of restoration after failure?
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