John 18-19

1
John 18-19

• The Passion Narrative

2
Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel

• Ch. 1 Introduction Prologue and Witness of John
• Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")
• Theme Through signs and discourses, Jesus
  reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save
  the world, but is rejected by the world.
• Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation
• Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility
• Ch. 11-12 Final rejection
• Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples ("Book of
  Passion/Glory")
• Theme Having been rejected by the world, Jesus
  prepares the disciples for his departure to the
  Father.
• Ch. 13 Last Supper
• Ch. 14-16 Farewell Discourse
• Ch. 17 Jesus High Priestly Prayer
• Ch. 18-19 Passion Narrative
• Ch. 20 Resurrection
• Ch. 21 Appendix Appearance in Galilee

3
John 18-19The Passion NarrativeNo one takes my
life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord
(1018).

• Johns Passion Narrative depicts Jesus in total
  control.
• Jesus Arrest in the Garden (181-11)
• Interrogation by Annas and Peters Denial
  (1812-27)
• The Trial before Pontius Pilate (1828-1916)
• Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

4
Jesus Arrest in the Garden(181-11)

• Johns setting (v. 1-3).
• A garden across Kidron valley not called
  Gethsemane.
• Judas brings cohort (600-1000) of soldiers plus
  temple police.

5
Jesus Arrest in the Garden(181-11)

• 2. Jesus takes the initiative (v. 4-6).
• No kiss on the cheek from Judas.
• Identifies himself with an absolute I am.
• Reaction of soldiers is typical of theophany
  scenes.

6
Jesus Arrest in the Garden(181-11)

• 3. Jesus protects the disciples (v. 7-9).
• 4. Peter defends Jesus by drawing a sword (v.
  10-11).
• Only FG names Peter and high priests slave
  (Malchus).
• Jesus was betrayed twice in the garden.
• Jesus rejects the way of violence/retaliation
  vows to drink the cup the Father has given me
  (cf. Mk. 1436).

7
Interrogation by Annas and Peters Denial
(1812-27)

• Annas interrogates Jesus (v. 19-24).
• Former high priest (6-15 AD) father-in-law of
  Caiaphas.
• Interrogates Jesus about his disciples and his
  teaching.
• Jesus is rebuked and slapped for insolence
  protests the injustice.
• Annas sends him to Caiaphas, current high priest
  (18-36 AD).
• No trial before Caiaphas and Sanhedrin is
  recorded (as in Mk. 14).

Modern church built on traditional site of
Caiaphas house. Steps may be first-century.
8
Interrogation by Annas and Peters Denial
(1812-27)

• 2. Peters denial (v. 15-18, 25-27) frames Jesus
  interrogation.
• The other disciple who gets Peter into
  courtyard of high priest may be Beloved
  Disciple.
• Standing by charcoal fire (v. 18), Peter denies
  Jesus three times.
• Fulfills Jesus prediction (1338) and prepares
  for Peters rehabilitation, beside another
  charcoal fire (219, 15-17).

Modern church built on traditional site of
Caiaphas house. Steps may be first-century.
9
The Trial before Pontius Pilate (1828-1916)

• 1. Setting and structure.
• Rome reserved the right to execute.
• Pontius Pilate (procurator/prefect 26-36 AD) in
  Jerusalem for feast.
• Early Friday morning, chief priests bring Jesus
  to praetorium (procurators residence/headquarte
  rs).
• The Jews refuse to enter praetorium to avoid
  defilement so they could eat Passover on Friday
  evening (v. 28).
• FG depicts Pilate engaged in shuttle diplomacy
  between Jesus inside the praetorium and the
  Jews outside.
• 2. Three key themes in Johns version of the
  trial
• Emphasis on Pilates conviction of Jesus
  innocence.
• Three times he pronounces Jesus innocent I find
  no case against him (1838 194, 6).
• Three times he tries to release him
• Custom of releasing prisoner at Passover but
  they want Barabbas (1839-40).
• Has him flogged and mocked but they shout for
  crucifixion (195-6).
• Tries again but they shout, If you release
  this man, you are no friend of the emperor
  (1912).
• Pilates reluctance is historically questionable.
  (Who killed Jesus?)

10
The Trial before Pontius Pilate (1828-1916)

• Three key themes in Johns version of the trial
  (cont.)
• Emphasis on Jesus kingship.
• Whole Passion Narrative presents Jesus as King
  theme is concentrated here.
• King is used 12 times kingdom/kingship 2
  times.
• Interrogation revolves around question, Are you
  the King of the Jews? (1833).
• My kingdom is not from this world not based
  on worldly values / methods but on truth (v.
  36-38). (Pilate What is truth?)
• In the end, the Jews embrace Caesar as their
  only king (1915).
• Emphasis on Passover.
• The Jews refuse to enter praetorium to keep
  pure for Passover (1828).
• Barabbas is released for Passover custom (1839).
• Jesus is condemned at noon on Day of Preparation
  crucified as Passover lambs were being
  slaughtered in Temple (1914).
• Johns chronology depicts Jesus as true Passover
  Lamb.
• Irony the Jews avoid defilement in order to
  eat Passover, yet reject Jesus, the true Pascal
  Lamb.

11
Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

• Jesus carries his own Cross to Golgotha (v.
  16-18).
• Differs from Synoptics, where Simon of Cyrene
  carries it (Mk. 1521).
• Supports FGs theme of Jesus being in total
  control.
• May be anti-docetic (some Gnostics claimed that
  Simon was crucified instead of Jesus).
• Crucifixion itself is described with great
  economy of detail (cf. Mel Gibson).

Gordons Calvary
12
Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

• Pilates inscription was customary practice (v.
  19-22).
• Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (INRI).
• Intended to mock, but truer than he realized.
• Three languages expresses universalism of
  gospel.
• Jesus dies as a King enthroned on a Cross by
  which he conquers the world.
• Soldiers dividing up Jesus clothing was
  customary (v. 23-24).
• Fulfills Scripture (Ps. 2218).
• Only FG has casting lots for seamless tunic
  (unity of church).

13
Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

• Three sayings from the Cross
• Woman, behold your sonBehold your mother (v.
  25-27).
• Nucleus of a new community of believers.
• Christian community is a family of children of
  God bound together by faith rather than blood.
• I thirst (v. 28-29).
• Fulfills Scripture they gave me vinegar to
  drink (Ps. 6921).
• Hyssop was used at Passover to sprinkle blood on
  doorposts (Ex. 1222).
• Thirsting may be anti-docetic motif.
• It is finished (v. 30).
• Mission from the Father is accomplished.
• Hands over his own spirit.

14
Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

• Breaking of the legs and the spear-thrust (v.
  31-37).
• Intended to hasten death before start of Sabbath
  at sundown.
• Jesus legs not broken, as Passover lambs were
  not (Ex. 1246).
• Spear-thrust yielding blood and water
• Confirms reality of Jesus death and fulfills
  Scripture (Zech. 1210).
• He who saw it may be Beloved Disciple.
• Anti-docetic humans have blood and water gods
  have no blood.
• Some see symbolism of baptism and Lords Supper.

15
Crucifixion and Burial (1916-42)

• The burial (v. 38-42).
• Joseph of Arimathea, described as secret
  disciple, gets custody of body.
• Nicodemus provides lavish burial spices (100
  pounds of myrrh and aloes).
• Together they anoint Jesus body and give him a
  burial fit for a king.
• Buried in a new tomb located in a garden.

Garden Tomb