JOHN 18:37–38 “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” … Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37, 38). After listening to Jesus describe His kingdom as spiritual in nature, Pilate asked, “You are a king then?” … Continue reading “A SKEPTIC’S INQUIRY”
“ARE YOU THE KING?”
JOHN 18:33–36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews.…” (John 18:36). At this point, John assumes the readers are acquainted with the earlier gospels, particularly Luke. In Luke’s account, it is recorded … Continue reading ““ARE YOU THE KING?””
SUBJECT TO ROMAN LAW
JOHN 18:25–32 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled … (John 18:28). Having completed His trial before the Sanhedrin, Jesus is hurried off to Pilate so the death penalty could be enacted. The Jews … Continue reading “SUBJECT TO ROMAN LAW”
MOTIVES OF THE HEART
JOHN 18:19–24 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:23) It does not take much knowledge of Jewish law to see that Jesus was treated unfairly. But all the judicial transgressions do not really touch the heart of the matter. … Continue reading “MOTIVES OF THE HEART”
IN A STATE OF DENIAL
JOHN 18:15–18 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not” (John 18:17). In yesterday’s study, we learned how Jesus faced injustice from the Sanhedrin on the night of His arrest, and in doing so fulfilled prophecy … Continue reading “IN A STATE OF DENIAL”
TRIAL OF INJUSTICE
JOHN 18:12–14 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year (John 18:13). John provides some details of Jesus’ arrest that give us insight into the politics of the day, the injustices surrounding His trial, and the centers of power in Israel. One … Continue reading “TRIAL OF INJUSTICE”
A WILLING CAPTIVE
JOHN 18:1–11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11) It is not our purpose in this study to analyze the differences among the gospel accounts regarding the arrest of Jesus. Let it suffice to say that while … Continue reading “A WILLING CAPTIVE”
THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS
JOHN 17:20–23 “… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21). The third part of this High Priestly Prayer includes Jesus’ request concerning the church universal. He no … Continue reading “THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS”
THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE
JOHN 17:17–19 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.… And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:17, 19). Throughout Scripture wherever there are admonitions to “put off” something, there are corresponding exhortations to “put on” something else. Where we put to death sin, … Continue reading “THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE”
STRANGERS IN THIS WORLD
JOHN 17:15–16 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). As has been the case since the days of Israel, those whom God has chosen to be His children have been radically different from the world. They have … Continue reading “STRANGERS IN THIS WORLD”