Exposition of John, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
HItherto John hath recorded Chriſts life and doctrine, with ſome miracles confirming the ſame; inſiſting chiefly on what the reſt of the Evangeliſts had omitted. Now he proceeds to record his exerciſe and ſufferings, chap. 18, and 19. and his begun victory over them, in his reſurrection, which was confirmed by ſeveral apparitions, chap. 20, and 21.
Chriſts ſufferings may be taken up in this order. 1. His ſufferings in the Garden, where he was taken. 2. His ſufferings in the High Prieſts hall. 3. His ſufferings in Pilats judgement-hall. 4 His ſufferings in Mount Calvarie, the place where he was crucified. 5. His burial, which was the capeſtone of his ſufferings. In handling of all which, albeit an harmony of all the Evangeliſts would take in all circumſtances, Yet I ſhall keep by what John ſaith, (who, no doubt, hath a ſufficient, as all of them together, an abundant Narration) clearing what is ſpoken here, and ſo far as I neceſſary, from the reſt. And however every particular and circumſtance of his ſufferings be full of rich myſteries which can hardly be dipped into; Yet we cannot go wrong, if in interpreting thereof, we follow theſe general Rules. 1. That Chriſt really ſuffered and died for his people, and in their ſtead; ſatisfying divine juſtice for them▪ and bearing that curſe which was due to man for ſin, 1 Pet. 3.18. and elſewhere. 2. That Chriſt did ſuffer all this meekly and willingly, not by compulſion or conſtraint, Iſa. 53.7. Joh. 10.17, 18. 3. That by what he ſuffered, is pointed out what we deſerved, and that by his ſuffering of it, we are delivered from it, and a contrary good purchaſed unto us. He was condemned by an High Prieſt, that we, who deſerved condemnation, might be abſolved by our High Prieſt: He ware a crown of thornes that we might ware a crown of glory, &c. 4. That in his way of ſuffering, he is a pattern to his people, how they ought to bear the afflictions he ſends upon them, 1 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22, 23. 5. That by his drinking the cup of ſufferings, he hath ſanctified theſe afflictions to his members and followers, who fill up what is behinde of his ſufferings, Col. 1.14. Namely, in ſo far as they are a teſtimony to the truth. See Joh. 15.18.
In this Chapter, firſt, John records Chriſts ſufferings in the Garden, (whether he went after his former doctrine and prayer, v. 1. and to which Judas (as knowing the place, v. 2.) brought a band of men to take him, v. 3) Where, after a conference with theſe who came to take him; Wherein he gives a proofe of his Deity, though he be going to ſuffer, v. 4, 5, 6. and exempts his diſciples from the trial, v. 7, 8, 9. And, after a reprehenſion of Peters raſh behaviour, v. 10, 11. He is taken and bound, and carried away to the High Prieſts, v. 12, 13, 14. Secondly, He records Chriſts ſufferings in the High Prieſts hall, together with Peters threefold ſlip there. And, 1. He declares how Peter with ſome difficultie, getting in after his Maſter, v. 15, 16. doth at the voice of a damſel, deny him, v. 17. and yet ſtayeth ſtill in a place ſo full of ſnares, v 18. 2. He giveth an account of Chriſts conflict with the High Prieſt, v. 19, 20, 21. and with one of his ſervants, v. 22, 23, 24. 3. He declareth that Peter, ſtaying ſtill there, did yet twice deny his Maſter, v. 25, 26, 27. Thirdly, He recordeth a part of Chriſts trial in Pilates judgement-hall, to which the Jewes brought him, v. 28. Wherein after ſome debates betwixt Pilate and the Jews, about entring of the proceſſe, v 29, 30, 31, 32. Pilate examines him concerning his kingdome, and gets a meet anſwer, v 32, 34, 35, 36, 37. Which Pilate little heeding goeth o…t to the Jewes, and abſolveth Chriſt, v. 38. and endeavours (but in vain) to releaſe him, by occaſion of their cuſtome at the feaſt, v. 39, 40.