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Jesus' Arrest

John 18

The group that apprehended Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane was large: "a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons" (John 18:3). The next verse presents almost a comical counterpoint to this well-armed official band—Jesus stepping forward and saying, "May I help you?" (paraphrase). He actually said, "Whom are you seeking?" (John 18:4), but His words and demeanor appear so calm and submissive compared to the armed vigilantes that it took them totally by surprise. When they said they were looking for "Jesus of Nazareth," and He said, "I am He," "they drew back and fell to the ground" (John 18:5-6).

They didn't actually "apprehend" or "arrest" Jesus. He willingly gave Himself into their hands. Jesus didn't run or try to evade arrest. In fact, when Peter pulled out a sword and attacked one of the arresting group, Jesus rebuked Peter, not the soldiers—and healed the wounded man (Luke 22:51). Jesus was on a path He had been on for months, knowing it would end in Jerusalem with His death. He told the arresting group (paraphrase), "You didn't need to come out at night to take me with weapons. I've been in the temple courtyard teaching every day. I am giving myself into your hands in order that the Old Testament prophecies might be fulfilled" (Matthew 26:55-56).

Peter would later tell the Jews that the Jesus they took with "lawless hands [and] crucified" was actually "delivered [to them] by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). The arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane provides one of Scripture's greatest examples of the evil of men being allowed to work out the purposes of God. For that reason, Jesus didn't resist. He reminded them that more than 72,000 angels could have been dispatched to free Him (Matthew 26:53) and that their arresting and sentencing power was given them by God (John 19:11).

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