181 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron , where there was a garden , in which He entered with His disciples . 2 Now Judas also , who was betraying Him, knew the place , for Jesus had often met there with His disciples . 3 Judas then , having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees , came there with lanterns and torches and weapons . 4 So Jesus , knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, " Whom do you seek ?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene ." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also , who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground . 7 Therefore He again asked them, " Whom do you seek ?" And they said , "Jesus the Nazarene ." 8 Jesus answered , "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way ," 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke , " Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one ." 10 Simon Peter then , having a sword , drew it and struck the high priest's slave , and cut off his right ear ; and the slave's name was Malchus . 11 So Jesus said to Peter , "Put the sword into the sheath ; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 18:1-11
Commentary on John 18:1-12
(Read John 18:1-12)
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, 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.