(John 18:1-11)…..When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” came to the garden with team of soldiers to seize and arrest Jesus.
Judas hoped to catch Jesus by surprise, but this was impossible, Jesus’ entire life was prepared for this hour (Matthew 26:46). He led detachment (cohort – band) of troops (a large number of Roman soldiers) and some officers (temple security force) provided by the chief priests and the Pharisees. A full auxiliary Roman detachment had the potential strength of 1,000 men (consisting of 760 foot soldiers and 240 cavalry led by a chiliarch (leader of a thousand). Most of the time they would downsize the number to 600 men if the full detachment wasn’t needed from the Antonia Fortress on the west side of the temple
Roman auxiliary troops were usually stationed at Caesarea, but during feast days they were garrisoned in the Antonia Fortress in order to ensure against mob violence or rebellion because of the large population that filled Jerusalem. The religious leaders and the Romans must have expected or feared some kind of battle or conflict in the garden with Jesus and His disciples – because they were well armed with lanterns, torches, swords, clubs.
- Was this needed? – NO!
- But it was the way God planned it – (Acts 2:22-23)
- Notice – Judas’ and Jesus’ conversation – again (Matthew 26:48-50)
- “And Jesus said unto him, Friend”–not the endearing term “friend” in – (John 15:15)
- But the word for “companion,” a word used on occasions of rebuke
- Read: (Matthew 20:13) (Matthew 22:12)
- Jesus was betrayed with a kiss – and calls Him “Rabbi” – AWFUL!! betrayal –
- A sinless Man in an appointed garden was about to do battle with Satan’s representative
- The first time this happened – the sinless man failed – the Second Adam would not fail
I AM – is a designation He had used before to declare Himself God. Jesus answered them with these two words – “ego eimi” – “I AM” – (Exodus 3:14). With this Jesus consciously proclaimed that He was God, connecting His words to the many previous “I AM” statements recorded in the Gospel of John – (John 6:35) (John 8:12) (John 8:28) (John 8: 58) (John 9:5) (John 10:7-9,11,14) (John 10:36) (John 11:25) (John 14:6) (John 15:1,5). Here, our Savior the majesty of his Deity and at least 600 men fell before Him. The Lord chose to give them this proof of His infinite power – that they would know that their power could not prevail against Him if He chose to exert His might – shown by Him in speaking two words – identifying Him as God. When Jesus declared His divine identity (in the words I AM) – Judas and soldiers all fell back. There was such a display of divine presence – of majesty – of power – in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him.