Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS TWENTY: Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 18:1-40
a. What are your initial impressions or Notable translation differences?
III. Jesus is Betrayed (vv. 1-11)
a. Compare the Gospel Accounts: The Synoptic Gospels focus on Jesus’ humanity. John’s Gospel focuses on His divinity.
i. Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-52; Luke 22:39-53
b. (vv. 1-2) Human history began in a garden (Genesis 2:8ff). Man’s first sin was in a garden. The eternal city in Heaven will be a garden (Rev. 21 & 22). Here, Jesus was obedient in the garden. Why do you think Jesus chose the garden as the place to be arrested?
c. (vs. 3) Judas had access to a Roman cohort – around 600 men. Most likely, not more than 200 hundred soldiers accompanied Judas. Why did they bring lanterns, torches, and weapons?
d. (vv. 4-6) Remember, John includes statements where Jesus refers to himself as “I am” (6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5), a clear allusion to God’s identification as “I am” in Exodus 3:14. Why do they all step back and fall to the ground? (See Psalms 27:1-2; 35:4; 40:14)
e. (vv. 7-11) Note that it is Jesus Who is in full control, even telling the soldiers what they will do. They do not even arrest Peter.
IV. Jesus is Arrested and Taken to Annas (vv. 12-14)
a. Only John tells us that they went to Annas first. He had been a high priest from A.D. 6-15, yet he still had considerable influence.
b. John reminds the reader of Caiaphas’s prophesy (11:49-52).
V. Peter’s First Denial (vv. 15-18)
a. Compare the Gospel Accounts and discuss:
i. Matthew 26:57-70; Mark 14:53-68; Luke 22:54-57
b. (vv. 15-16) Only John tells us that another disciple got Peter into the courtyard. Who do you think that disciple was?
c. (vv. 17-18) There will be another charcoal fire in Peter’s future (21:9).
VI. Jesus Questioned by Annas (vv. 19-24)
a. The trial against Jesus is a sham. It was illegal to question a prisoner, especially before being charged. It was also illegal to strike a prisoner. (See also Luke 22:63-71)
VII. Peter Denies Jesus Two More Times (vv. 25-27)
a. Compare the Gospel Accounts and discuss:
i. Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-62
VIII. Jesus Brought Before Pilate (vv. 28-38a)
a. Compare the Gospel Accounts and discuss:
i. Matthew 27:1-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-16
b. Why was it important to the Jewish authorities that the Romans carry out Jesus’ death sentence?
IX. Choose Jesus or Barabbas (vv. 38b-40)
a. Compare the Gospel Accounts and discuss:
i. Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:17-25
b. The name Barabbas means “son of the father.”
X. Application
a. The Word of God is very powerful. (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:15, 21)
b. The Word of God is Truth. There are moral absolutes and there is right and wrong. Those who depart from the truth are subject to judgment. God’s truth will prevail. (Romans 1:18)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: The Crucifixion of Jesus
- Read John 19:1-42 to prepare.
