Matthew Henry on John 18:1-12

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

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, ch. 6:15, 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.

More for John 18:1-12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Christ in the Garden; The Treachery of Judas; The Ear of Malachus Cut Off; Christ Yields Himself a PrisonerJohn 18:1-12 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleCHRIST IN THE GARDEN; THE TREACHERY OF JUDAS; THE EAR OF MALACHUS CUT OFF; CHRIST YIELDS HIMSELF A PRISONER. The hour was now come that the captain of our salvation, who was to be made perfect by sufferings, should enga…The Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-40John 18:1-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION B. THE HOUR HAS COME.The Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1John 18:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryJohn 19:42.—1. The outer glorification of Christ in his Passion.The Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-11John 18:1-11 · The Pulpit Commentary(1) The betrayal, the majesty of his bearing, accompanied by hints of the bitter cup.The Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1John 18:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryWhen Jesus had spoken these words—i.e. had offered the prayer, and communed with his Father touching himself, his disciples, and his whole Church—he went forth with his disciples; i.e. from the resting-place chosen by h…The Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-11John 18:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe apprehension of Jesus. The crisis has come at last. I. THE SCENE OF THE ARREST. "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples." 1. The garden w…

commentaryChrist in the Garden; The Treachery of Judas; The Ear of Malachus Cut Off; Christ Yields Himself a PrisonerCHRIST IN THE GARDEN; THE TREACHERY OF JUDAS; THE EAR OF MALACHUS CUT OFF; CHRIST YIELDS HIMSELF A PRISONER. The hour was now come that the captain of our salvation, who was to be made perfect by sufferings, should enga…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-11The apprehension of Jesus. The crisis has come at last. I. THE SCENE OF THE ARREST. "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples." 1. The garden w…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1John 19:42.—1. The outer glorification of Christ in his Passion.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1When Jesus had spoken these words—i.e. had offered the prayer, and communed with his Father touching himself, his disciples, and his whole Church—he went forth with his disciples; i.e. from the resting-place chosen by h…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-40EXPOSITION B. THE HOUR HAS COME.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:1-11(1) The betrayal, the majesty of his bearing, accompanied by hints of the bitter cup.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:2Now Judas also, who was betraying him (notice present tense in contrast with ὁ παράδους of Matt, John 10:4), knew the place: because oftentimes Jesus resorted (literally, was assembled there) thither with his disciple…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 18:3Judas therefore, because he knew the place, was able treacherously to use his knowledge. Having received the cohort, ἡ σπεῖρα is used for the lemon or portion of the legion of soldiers, who, under the direction of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors