A Paraphrase on the New Testament, John · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
VVHen Jeſus had ſpoken theſe words, he went forth with his deciples over brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the the which he entred, and his Diſciples. 2. And Judas alſo which betrayed him; knew the place: for Jeſus oft-times reſorted thither with his diſciples.
1. This Sermon and Prayer being ſpoken after the Sacrament, Jeſus went to the Garden where he knew he ſhould be apprehended: Judas knew the place, becauſe Chriſt oft went thither, &c.
3. Judas then having received a band of men, and officers from the cheif prieſts and Phariſes, cometh thither with lanterns, and torchees, and weapons.
3. Note, Judas was the Informer that led the Officers (ſuch as Conſtables,) and the Chief Prieſts and the Phariſees of their party were they that (like Juſtices) furniſhed them with Commiſſions and Armed men.
4. Jeſus therefore knowing all things that ſhould come upon him, went forth, and ſaid unto them, Whom ſeek ye? 5. They anſwered him, Jeſus of Nazareth. Jeſus ſaith unto them, I am he. And Judas alſo which betrayed him, ſtood with them.
5, 6. Note, Chriſt fled not when his hour was come. 2. What a ſtony heart had Judas all this while.
6. As ſoon then as he had ſaid unto them, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground.
6. Some of them went backward and fell. Note, This ſtopt not them or their Companions.
7. Then aſked he them again, whom ſeek ye? And they ſaid, Jeſus of Nazareth. 8. Jeſus anſwered, I have told you that I am he. If therefore ye ſeek me, let theſe go their way: 9. That the ſaying might be fulfilled which he ſpake, Of them which thou gaveſt me, have I loſt none.
7, 8, 9. Note, Chriſt was careful for the Bodily ſafety of his Diſciples till their hour came. 2. His words of Looſing none, are here Expounded as reaching to the body as well as to the Soul.
10. Then Simon Peter having a ſword, drew it, and ſmote the high prieſts ſervant, and cut off his right ear. The ſervants name was Malchus. 11. Then ſaid Jeſus unto Peter, Put up thy ſword unto the ſheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, ſhall I not drink it?
10, 11. Note, Peter that before truſted too much to his own conſtancy, now truſteth too much to his Sword, without Commiſſion. … Chriſt would not be reſcued from his undertaken ſufferings by humane ſtrength.
12. Then the band, and the captain, and officers of the Jews took Jeſus, and bound him.
12. The Colonel with his Soldiers and the Officers, bind Jeſus as as a Malefactor; being ſlaviſh Executioners.
13. And led him away to Annas firſt (for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high prieſt that ſame year.) 14. Now Caiaphas was he which gave counſel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man ſhould die for the people.
13. The Power was in Caiaphas, but his Father in Law was made the way to him, no doubt being a forward Actor.
15. And Simon Peter followed Jeſus, and ſo did another Diſciple. That Diſciple was known unto the high prieſt, and went in with Jeſus into the palace of the high prieſt. 16. But Peter ſtood at the door without. Then went out that other Diſciple which was known unto the high prieſt, and ſpake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
15. Note, It ſeems acquaintance made them bear with John, and yet pretended they knew him not to be a Diſciple.
17. Then ſaith the Damſel that kept the door, unto Peter, Art not thou alſo one of this mans diſciples? He ſaith, I am not. 18. And the Servants and Officers ſtood there, who had made a fire of coals (for it was cold) and they warmed themſelves: and Peter ſtood with them, and warmed himſelf.
17, 18. Note, Whenever we have buſineſs in bad Company, we ſhould foreſee what Temptations, we may there expect, and be forewarned.
19. The high prieſt then asked Jeſus of his diſciples, and of his doctrine.
19. N. The Perverſion and Confuſion of this blinded World, Man Examineth and Judgeth God: An ignorant High Prieſt who pretendeth to no honour, but to be an Officer of God judgeth his Maſter.
20. Jeſus anſwered him, I ſpake openly to the world; I ever taught in the Synagogues and in the Temple, whither the Jews always reſort, and in ſecret have I ſaid nothing, 21. Why askeſt thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have ſaid unto them: behold, they know what I ſaid.
20, 21. Note, Chriſt that came to die for our ſins, yet would not accuſe himſelf but refe…ed the enſnaring Prelate to his Auditors, and bid him p…oduce his Witneſſes if he had any thing to accuſe him of: Giving us an Example how to anſwer ſuch malicious High Prieſts. Secondly, By [in ſecret have I ſaid nothing] hemeaneth, I have not fraudulently concealed my Doctrine, Thirdly, Chriſt did not ſeparate from the Temple or Synagogue, and yet they could not bear him while he put them but to prove their accuſations; they expected that his obedience to their demands ſhould have furniſhed their Malice with matter againſt him, while they were breaking Gods Commands.
22. And when he had thus ſpoken one of the officers which ſtood by, ſtroke Jeſus with the palm of his hand, ſaying, Anſwereſt thou the high prieſt ſo?
22. Note, It is no wonder if wicked High Prieſts have wicked Officers, ready to ſay and do as they. Rebels againſt God charge God himſelf for not obeying them in iniquity; and expect more than due ſubmiſſion from Gods Servants while they were againſt God himſelf.
23. Jeſus anſwered him, If I have ſpoken evil, bear witneſs of the evil: but if well, why ſmiteſt thou me?
23. If I have by my anſwer broken the Law, prove it: If not, why art thou Executioner without Tryal or deſert.
24. (Now Annas had ſent him bound unto Caiaphas the high Prieſt.) 25. And Simon Peter ſtood and warmed himſelf: They ſaid therefore unto him, Art not thou alſo one of his diſciples? He denied it, and ſaid, I am not. 26. One of the ſervants of the high Prieſt, (being his kinſman whoſe ear Peter cut off) ſaith, Did not I ſee thee in the garden with him? 27. Peter then denied again, and immediately the Cock crew.
24, 25, &c. All this was done in Caiphas houſe whither Annas had ſent Chriſt bound. There Peter then denied Chriſt: Though one denyal be here omitted.
28. Then led they Jeſus from Caiaphas, unto the hall of Judgment: And it was Early, and they themſelves went not into the Judgement-hall leſt they ſhould be defiled: but that they might eat the Paſſover.
28. Note, Thus That Hypocrite Prieſts make Conſcience of a Ceremony, while they are ſhedding holy Blood.
29. Pilate then went out unto them, and ſaid, What accuſation bring you againſt this man? 30. They anſwered and ſaid unto him, If he were not a malefactour, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
29, 30. Note, The wicked Prieſts expected that Pilate ſhould have taken their bare word againſt Chriſt to Condemns him.
31. Then ſaid Pilate unto them, Take ye him and judge him according to your Law. The Jews therefore ſaid unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32. That the ſaying of Jeſus might be fulfilled, which he ſpake, ſignifying what death he ſhould die.
31, 32. If he muſt be Condemned upon your bare word, be you the Judges of him by your own Law: For the Rommans uſe not to Condemn men ſo unjuſtly.
Note, The Romans having Conquered the Jews, allowed them the uſe of their Law for leſſer puniſhments, but not for death (though ſome think otherwiſe:) Crucifying was the Roman puniſhment.
33. Then Pilate entred into the judgment-hall again, and called Jeſus, and ſaid unto him, Art thou the king of the Jews? 34. Jeſus anſwered him, Sayeſt thou this thing of thy ſelf, or did others tell it thee of me?
34. I perceive thy queſtion implyeth accuſation: Who is the Accuſer? Is it thy ſelf or any other.
35. Pilate anſwered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation, and the chief Prieſts have delivered thee unto me: What haſt thou done?
35. I am no Jew, nor Judge of your Propheſies, pretences and quarrels; It is thy own Nation and thoſe that ſhould beſt underſtand the matters of it, even the High Prieſt that have delivered thee to me: How haſt thou offended them.
36. Jeſus anſwered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my ſervants fight, that I ſhould not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
36. I know it is as the Uſurper of the Crown againſt Caeſar that they intend to accuſe me: But of that they have no juſt cauſe: For it is no Earthly Kingdome that I claim; nor do I raiſe Men to fight for me, as I ſhould do if I claimed an Earthly Kingdom.
37. Pilate therefore ſaid unto him, Art thou a king then? Jeſus anſwered, Thou ſayeſt that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cauſe came I into the world, that I ſhould bear witneſs unto the truth: every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. 38. Pilate ſaith unto him, What is truth?
37. And art thou a King indeed. Jeſus anſwered, I am a King, (though I claim no mans Crown) it was to this end that I was born and came into the World, that the Truth might Reign, and that I might Reign in the Minds of Men by the Light of Truth: And every one that is thus enlightned to obey the Truth, obeyeth me: Pilate ſaid, in diſdain, what is that Truth which thou pretendeſt to be thy Reign.
And when he had ſaid this, he went out again unto the Jews, and ſaith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
38. I find not that he breaketh any of our Laws, by any capital Crime.
39. But ye have a cuſtom, that I ſhould releaſe unto you one at the paſſover: will ye therefore that I releaſe unto you the king of the Jews? 40. Then cried they all again, ſaying Not this man, But Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
39. Note, Pilate derided Chriſt, but was loth to murder him, judging him innocent.
Note, Whereas other Writers of the Goſpel oft tell us that Chriſt anſwered not a word, and John tells us of his moſt pertinent Anſwers, it only ſignifieth that to many other Queſtions not here mentioned, he gave no Anſwer; and that he forbore partly as ſeeing it was in vain with ſuch unrighteous Men, and being not over regardful of ſelf defence, and partly that he might not give them matter againſt him, wreſted from his own words: But the anſwers omitted by others John reeiteth.