RSV ~ John 18 Notes

Jn 18:1 | ISB Notes

the Kidron valley: The deep ravine directly east of Jerusalem, separating the city from the Mount of Olives. The garden area on the western slope of the mount is called “Gethsemane” (Mt 26:36).

Jn 18:3 | ISB Notes

band of soldiers: A detachment (cohort) of several hundred Roman troops accompanied by Temple policemen (Acts 5:24-26). The authorities must have anticipated resistance from Jesus and his followers as they came armed in such large numbers.

Jn 18:6 | ISB Notes

I am: Jesus unleashes the power of the divine name, “I am”, simply by uttering it (Ex 3:14). See note on Jn 6:20.

Jn 18:10 | ISB Notes

a sword: Peter’s zeal unsheathes the weapon in defense of Jesus. Here and elsewhere he fails to understand how the betrayal and suffering of Christ are part of the Father’s plan (Mt 16:21-23). Luke notes how Jesus rectifies his wrong by healing the slave’s ear (Lk 22:51).

Jn 18:11 | ISB Notes

the chalice: The chalice of suffering that Jesus will drink on the Cross (Mk 10:38; CCC 607). See note on Lk 22:17.

Jn 18:13 | ISB Notes

Annas: The high priest of Israel from A.D. 6 to 15. Because the Romans deposed and replaced him with another priest contrary to the regulations of the Torah, many Jews still revered him as the rightful head of Israel even after he was relieved of his duties (18:19; Acts 4:6).

Caiaphas: The son-in-law of Annas and the officiating high priest from A.D. 18 to 36.

Jn 18:14 | ISB Notes

one man should die: A reminder of the prophecy in 11:47-53. See note on Jn 11:51.

Jn 18:15 | ISB Notes

another disciple: Probably John the evangelist, who never reveals his name in the Gospel but often calls himself the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7). One tradition preserved by Eusebius holds that the Apostle John was born of a Jewish priestly family, which could explain his familiarity with the high priest (18:15), the name of the high priest’s slave (18:10), and the family of the slave (18:26).

See introduction to John: Author.

Jn 18:24 | ISB Notes

bound to Caiaphas: John summarizes Jesus’ nighttime trial before the Sanhedrin in this one statement (Mt 26:5768; Mk 14:53-65). He gives greater attention to Jesus’ interrogation before Pilate (Jn 18:33-38).

Jn 18:27 | ISB Notes

again denied it: Three times Peter denies his association with Jesus (18:17, 25), just as three times he fell asleep while Jesus prayed in agony (Mk 14:32-42) and three times he will renew his commitment to Jesus after the Resurrection (Jn 21:15-17).

the cock crowed: Possibly the Roman bugle call that signaled the end of the “cockcrow” at about 3 A.M. .

Jn 18:28 | ISB Notes

the praetorium: The official residence of the Roman governo

r in Jerusalem. It served as his headquarters

during Israel’s annual feasts and other occasions that required his presence to maintain civil order in the city. It was early: On the morning of Good Friday. did not enter: Jews generally declined to enter the home of a Gentile for fear of ritual defilement (Acts 10:28). This was all the more important during Passover, since defilement disqualified a Jew from eating the initial Seder meal (Num 9:6-11), as well as from the paschal peace consumed throughout the week of the festival (Lev 7:19-20).

Jn 18:29 | ISB Notes

Pilate: The Roman governor of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36. See note on Mt 27:2.

Jn 18:31 | ISB Notes

It is not lawful: The Romans denied the authorities of Israel the right to administer capital punishment. Only the Romans themselves could put a condemned criminal to death, either by beheading (Roman citizens) or by crucifixion (non-citizens and insurrectionists). That Jesus was a Jewish peasant charged with sedition made crucifixion inevitable (CCC 596).

Jn 18:32 | ISB Notes

what death: Jesus was alluding to crucifixion when he spoke of being “lifted up” (3:14; 12:32).

Jn 18:33 | ISB Notes

King of the Jews?: The accusation of Jesus’ enemies (Lk 23:2). The title functions as a slogan that is meant to resonate with Pilate as a threat to Roman rule (Jn 19:12).

Jn 18:36 | ISB Notes

My kingship: Jesus does not deny his royal mission, but he disassociates it from the political form of government that concerns Pilate. He thus turns the focus toward heaven, where he will be crowned not with gold but with glory and honor (Heb 2:9) and where homage is paid to him not in taxes but in worship (9:38) and allegiance to the truth (8:31-32). The coronation of Jesus begins with his Passion and culminates with his Ascension (Eph 1:20-23), from which time his dominion extends over the earth through the preaching and sacramental ministry of the Church (Mt 28:18-20).

Jn 18:38 | ISB Notes

What is truth?: The cynical response shows Pilate to be politically disinterested in the otherworldly perspective of Jesus. The irony here is that, while Pilate sees “truth” as a harmless abstraction, the acceptance of the gospel throughout the Roman world will eventually lead to the downfall of the Empire and the rise of a Christian civilization in its place (CCC 2471).

Jn 18:40 | ISB Notes

a robber: Or “revolutionary”. Elsewhere Barabbas is described as an insurrectionist and a murderer (Mk 15:7).