John 18:1–2 (WEL) After Jesus said these things, he went with his disciples across the Kidron Brook, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. 2 Judas, also, who betrayed him, knew that place because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
In this chapter we are informed,
(1) How Christ was arrested by Judas and his band in the garden; and after manifesting his power over them, and care for his disciples’ safe escape, surrendered himself a prisoner, John 18:1–12.
(2) How he was abused in the high priest’s court, and thrice denied by Peter, John 18:13–27.
(3) How he was prosecuted before Pilate, and examined by him concerning his kingly office, John 18:28–37.
(4) How the Jews preferred Barabbas, a murderous robber, to him, John 18:38–40.
V1 After Jesus said these things, he went with his disciples across the Kidron Brook, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered.
The Kidron Brook:
This is a seasonal brook east of Jerusalem that runs past the temple area, Calvary, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Mount of Olives on its eastern side. It begins north of Jerusalem and flows into the Judaean wilderness and finally into the Dead Sea.
Jesus leaves the upper room in Jerusalem and travels east to this garden.
V2 Judas, also, who betrayed him, knew that place because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.
Judas Iscariot is not with Jesus and the eleven. He is busy getting ready to betray Jesus.
What were Judas’s motives to betray Jesus?
AskAndyAI:
“Judas Iscariot’s betrayal was driven by several sinful motives:
- Greed: He was a thief who pilfered from the disciples’ money box and valued material gain. He objected to Mary’s costly ointment because he wanted the money available for himself.
- Impatience and frustration: Judas expected Jesus to establish the Kingdom immediately and hoped to receive a prominent position. As it became clear that the Kingdom would not arrive according to his timetable, his anger grew.
- Unbelief: Although Judas outwardly followed Jesus and participated in the ministry, he never truly trusted Him as Savior. His association with Christ was superficial and motivated by what he thought he could gain.
- Satanic influence: Satan put the desire to betray Jesus into Judas’s heart, though Judas still made the choice voluntarily and was responsible for it.
- Love of temporal things: Ultimately, Judas exchanged the Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, tragically undervaluing the Son of God.
“His betrayal fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, but this did not remove Judas’s personal responsibility. He willingly chose to betray Christ. Saving faith is by faith alone in Christ alone; Judas’s outward association with Jesus was not saving faith, and believers who trust Christ are eternally secure.”
Principle: Even if a person is loving, good, kind, compassionate, etc., that person still may turn on you.
We learn:
- Jesus bravely goes to the betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Some of Judas’s motives to betray Jesus.
Questions:
- How would you as a free man travel somewhere where you knew you would be arrested and falsely accused?
- Do you have any of these motives?