“Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” John 18:12.

It is perhaps at this point or right after healing Malchus’ ear which Peter had cut off, that the Lord said the following to this mob with lanterns and torches.

“Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:52b-53.

As noted in the entry entitled, “They All Fell Down”, published 3-27-18, this detachment of troops was a Roman cohort consisting of from 300 to 600 soldiers.

The soldiers along with officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, with lanterns (probably mounted on poles), torches, swords and clubs; made for, not only, an otherworldly scene, but a good sized mob.

Because of the wording there is one element which could be easily missed. It says that the Roman cohort (detachment of troops) was led by a captain; but the word translated captain is chiliarch, an officer who commands a thousand soldiers, or is the captain of a military tribunal.

The significance of this is that there is no possibility an officer of this high rank would go to arrest Jesus without Pontius Pilate’s knowledge. Remember this when we study the Lord’s being brought before this man.

“And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” John 18:13-14.

Of the four gospels, this is the only account of the Lord being questioned by Annas.

Annas may have interviewed Jesus first in an attempt to trap Him into incriminating Himself or at least give them a charge to bring before everyone.

The counsel of Caiaphas referred to above comes from John 11:49-53, see below.

“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.’ Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then from that day on they plotted to put Him to death.” John11:49-53.

For more on this, see “Plotting to Kill God” posted here on 12-10-17.

“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 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.’ And the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.” John 18:15-18.

The month was April of 32 A. D. so the weather should have turned mild by then, yet at night or the early morning hours it could still have been quite chilly.

The unnamed disciple with Peter is John, the writer of this gospel, who at this time is thought to be around nineteen years of age.

The fact that John was known to the high priest indicates that his family was one of some repute, and his young age is possibly why he was not taken with Jesus as one of His rabble of disciples.

“The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.” John 18:19.

Annas knew full well Jesus’ doctrine, otherwise, why would they have sent an official mob out to arrest Him in the middle of the night?

The intent is to entrap the Lord and gain more information about His followers. There were no charges given for the arrest at the time, and Annas has given no reason, nor has he produced any witnesses, or claimed to have any. The Lord’s answer highlights this fact in a way.

“Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.’” John 18:20-21.

Where are your witnesses? What charges do you bring against Me? How can you not know My doctrine and still have a reason to arrest Me? Have you not done any research?

When Jesus says that, “…in secret I have said nothing”, it does not mean that He did not speak to His disciples in private, He did so, but it was to clarify the things He said to everyone.

Anyone could have come to Him and asked Him to explain the things they did not understand. It was His intent that His message go out to everyone who would take the time to listen.

“And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, ‘Do You answer the high priest like that?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?’” John 18:22-23.

This officer is the typical bully; they work their way into places of authority or near the seat of power, and use their position to bully folks who happen to fall into disfavor with those over them.

Bullies certainly made up all or most the men in the SS in Germany during World War II.

If you have ever seen films of the trial of the men accused of plotting to kill Hitler during the war, you will see them in their element; prosecutors pounding on the table and screaming at the defendants with not a care for the truth.

Those who were inevitably found guilty were hung with piano wire. I always visualize this trial when I read of Jesus’ trial, if it could be called that since it was illegal from every aspect.

But the bully is an unreasoning brute and one pities the poor soul who crosses their path. They are neighbors, in bars, gangs and often move into a home where there is no father as head, so they can engage in their cruelty without fear of reprisal.

The woman of the house often defends him, saying she loves him; all the while he is destroying her children.

“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts…” 2 Timothy 3:6.

“To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.” Proverbs 10:23.

“A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.” Proverbs 27:3.

Beware of the bully and do not associate with treacherous men.

It is notable that after being struck, Jesus rebukes (stern disapproval) the man for his unlawful violence.

“If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” John 18:23.

This is not a contradiction of His words in Matthew.

“But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Matthew 5:39.

Jesus lived up to these words when He endured the brutal, illegal beatings He took at the hands of those attending His trial. However He maintained His legal rights in His answers when questioned, both here and by Caiaphas.

The point that is being made here is that the Christian has certain legal rights and there is nothing wrong with invoking them when it becomes necessary.

Yes, it does say to turn the other cheek, and Jesus gave us the example when He was beaten illegally and severely during His so-called trial before the Sanhedrin. But, Jesus also said the following.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16.

Herein is the key, if the Christian exercises wisdom, the likelihood of having to turn the other cheek will be lessened considerably.

Common sense, avoid bad areas, especially at night, do not hang out in bars, especially seedy ones, do not associate with treacherous men, even the gifts you give them will not keep them from turning on you.

Ladies, do not allow anyone into your home that you do not know. Do not go out with men you do not know, stop going with someone who raises red flags in your mind. Do not marry someone who is not a Christian. Even some Christians are bums; listen to your gut, to put it crudely.

Do not tolerate being groped or mauled, do not even let anyone hit you; if they do, prefer charges.

Do not allow a rape to go unreported, even if it is a date rape where the perpetrator is liable to make you feel responsible. Let the police sort it out.

With date rape there is a fear that the authorities will not believe you, and often they may not, but every time something like this is reported it starts a paper trail. And a paper trail makes it easier for the next victim to be believed.

Any time a rape or some other sort of violation is not reported, it encourages the rapist to select another victim, and then another woman (or child) has to endure the same humiliation.

It is the Christian’s responsibility to care for the safety of others, if at all possible.

Concerning these matters, many think that the sex act involves intercourse only, not realizing that oral sex and sodomy are also sex acts. Do not let anyone deceive you; these and other acts of molestation are indeed sex.

I have heard of a youth pastor who convinced a young lady that oral sex is not sex and does not violate her desire to remain chaste. Some might argue that since they are over the age of eighteen and she is in love that it is of no consequence.

However, this disgusting youth pastor is deceiving this gullible young lady into gross immorality, which is certainly not Christian behavior. He is also devious so we do not know how many other victims he has and if any are under age.

Such perverted activity within the church body needs to be reported to the pastor or, if underage to the police and legal action taken against these individuals.

Ladies, if a pastor, deacon, or youth pastor has made improper advances to you, or worse, do not gossip, do not remain silent for fear of creating division within the church, let God worry about that.

You or preferably your husband go to whoever is head over the offender and report it. Still it may be possible that you will be called a liar; people will always want to believe the pastor, but if it has happened to others and they remained silent, it may encourage them to come forward.

Christians do not have to remain silent when someone makes a pass at their wife, or says obscene things to her; simply because they are worried that the offender may not get saved because they caused him trouble.

Christians do not have to endure someone bullying their child, stealing from them, spreading lies about them behind their back, or cheating them in business. If it is illegal report it to the police, sinners will surely be held responsible for their own evil deeds.

There are words for things that are illegal, sexual battery, assault and battery, statutory rape, if under age, child molestation, and Sexual Misconduct to name a few, laws vary from state to state.

Christians must always pick their battles carefully and prayerfully. Take everything to the Lord in prayer and, “Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

“Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” John 18:24.

Since it was unlikely that the prisoner would attempt to escape; the only reason to send Jesus bound to Caiaphas was to show their contempt and add insult to injury.

It has been suggested that the building in which Annas interrogated the Lord also housed the place where Caiaphas tried Him. So instead of being led through the streets of Jerusalem as one might imagine; He was simply led from one large room to another in another area of the building.

It is not shown in this gospel as it is in the other three what a violent and vicious kangaroo court this was.

“Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”’ And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against You?’ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?’ They answered and said, ‘He is deserving of death.’ Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’” Matthew 26:59-68.

When the high priest said, “I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” the Lord was obligated by law to answer the question.

Adjure in this sentence means that the high priest was commanding Him solemnly, as under oath to testify to the facts (this definition is from the dictionary).

It is also mentioned in this account that the nation was represented there; the chief priests, the elders (of the people), all the council, and elsewhere the scribes are mentioned, all are guilty.

“Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, ‘You are not also one of His disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not!’ One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with Him?’ Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.” John 18:25-27.

This account becomes even more heartbreaking when you read it in another gospel, Luke 22.

“Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, ‘Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22: 59-62.

One Man Should Die, John 18:12-27 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 6-4-13, updated on 3-30-18.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.