John 18: Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
John’s record is silent about Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane. But it does provide important insights into Jesus’ arrest, His trial before Pilate, and Peter’s denial. It is also the only gospel that records Jesus’ trial before Annas (see John 18:19–24). Though it might appear that freedom and life were taken from Jesus, John testified that He knew “all things that should come upon him” (John 18:4). As you read the last chapters of John’s testimony, try to picture the events in your mind. Imagine you were there, and think about how you might have felt as you watched.
Other Accounts of What You Read in John 18
Understanding the Scriptures
John 18
| Resorted, resort (vv. 2, 20) | Met, meet | |
| Expedient (v. 14) | Necessary | |
| Kinsman (v. 26) | Relative | |
| Cock (v. 27) | Rooster | |
| Malefactor (v. 30) | Criminal |
John 18:2–13—Judas Leads a Band of Armed Men to Capture Jesus
While the other writers of the Gospels indicated that a “multitude” followed Judas to Gethsemane to capture Jesus, only John recorded that it was “a band of men.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie suggested that “a band consisted of some six hundred Roman soldiers with a tribune at their head. The Roman overlords were taking no chance on an uproar during the week of the Passover” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:781).
John 18:39–40—Barabbas
See “Understanding the Scriptures” for Luke 23:18 (p. 73).
Studying the Scriptures
Do activity A as you study John 18.
Write a Newspaper Report
Read John 18:1–13 as if you were a reporter for a local newspaper. Write a news article using the following questions as a guideline:
- What headline would you use to catch the eye of readers?
- In what way was the Savior in control of the situation?
- What do you want your readers to know about this event?
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