Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 18

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 18


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
John 18

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion Burial of Jesus The Arrest of Jesus The Arrest of Jesus JOHN (18:1-19:42) Joh_18:1-11 Joh_18:1-11 Joh_18:1-11 Joh_18:1-4 Joh_18:1-9 Joh_18:5 a Joh_18:5 b Joh_18:5-7 a Joh_18:7 b Joh_18:8-9 Joh_18:10-11 Joh_18:10-11 Jesus Before the High Priest Before the High Priest Jesus Before Annas Jesus Before Annas and Caiaphas, Peter disowns Him Joh_18:12-14 Joh_18:12-14 Joh_18:12-14 Joh_18:12-14 Joh_18:12-14 Peter's Denial of Jesus Peter Denies Jesus Peter Denies Jesus Joh_18:15-18 Joh_18:15-18 Joh_18:15-18 Joh_18:15-17 a Joh_18:15-18 Joh_18:17 b Joh_18:18 The High Priest Questions Jesus Jesus Questioned by the High Priest The High Priest Questions Jesus Joh_18:19-24 Joh_18:19-24 Joh_18:19-24 Joh_18:19-21 Joh_18:19-24 Joh_18:22 Joh_18:23 Joh_18:24 Peter Denies Jesus Again Peter Denies Twice More Peter Denies Jesus Again Joh_18:25-27 Joh_18:25-27 Joh_18:25-27 Joh_18:25 a Joh_18:25-27 Joh_18:25 b Joh_18:26 Joh_18:27 Jesus Before Pilate In Pilate's Court Jesus Before Pilate Jesus Before Pilate Joh_18:28-38 a Joh_18:28-38 Joh_18:28-32 Joh_18:28-29 Joh_18:28-32 Joh_18:30 Joh_18:31 a Joh_18:31-32 Joh_18:33-38 a Joh_18:33 Joh_18:33 to Joh_19:3 Joh_18:34 Joh_18:35 Joh_18:36 Joh_18:37 a Joh_18:37 b Joh_18:38 a Jesus Sentenced to Die Taking the Place of Barabbas Jesus is Sentenced to Die JOHN (18:38-19:16c) JOHN (18:38-19:16a) Joh_18:38 to Joh_19:7 Joh_18:38 to Joh_19:7 Joh_18:38-39 Joh_18:39-40 Joh_18:40 to Joh_19:3 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_18:1-40

A. John omits Jesus' agony in Gethsemane (although chapter 17 may be parallel). This was apparently because he is emphasizing the dynamic character of Jesus which was in control of all circumstances. He Himself laid down His life (cf. Joh_10:11; Joh_10:15; Joh_10:17-18).



B. The order of events of this chapter is somewhat different from the Synoptic Gospels. This discrepancy seems to be attributable to

1. the nature of the eyewitness accounts

2. the author's theological purposes



C. John is very different from the Synoptic Gospels. Why and how are questions that scholarship cannot answer. The best discussion I have seen on this issue is in Gordon Fee, Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, where it gives several theories. Apparently the Gospel authors, under inspiration, had the freedom to

1. select from

2. adapt

3. rearrange

the words and works of Jesus. I do not think they could make up words and works, but could adapt them for their evangelistic purposes to help reveal Jesus to different people groups. Remember the Gospels are not western histories (i.e., cause and effect and chronological), but eastern histories. They are not biographies, but evangelistic tracts.

D. A good reference book on this chapter, as far as the legalities of Jesus' trials (cf., Sanhedrin, Joh_4:1), is A. N. Sherwin-White's Roman Society and Roman Law in the NT.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why did Jesus go to a place where He knew Judas would find Him?

2. Why does John omit Jesus' agony at Gethsemane?

3. Why did the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate?

4. Why is the order of events between John and the Synoptics so confusing?

5. Why does John depict Pilate as trying to release Jesus?