John 18:1-11 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

In today's episode of "What's happening (and who's involved)?" we find out what Judas has been up to this whole time. But before we get into that, let's set the scene a little.

Jesus has His disciples in an upper room for the Passover feast. He is talking with them, serving them, washing their feet, and teaching them. Eventually he hints at betrayal. It is around this time that Judas departs by Jesus' instruction to do what he has set out to do. Jesus continues teaching the other disciples and they eventually depart. He continues teaching as they walk and eventually they make it to a garden. This was not just any garden. John highlights that this was a garden they frequented. It was a place He and His disciples knew well. This means that Judas knew it well too.

Parallel passages tell us that Jesus went to this garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, to pray. John spares those details and highlights the marked point of Jesus' hour having come. Judas shows up with a detachment of troops under the Chief Priest's authority. There is this back and forth moment where Jesus asks whom they are seeking and they answer that they are looking for Jesus. When Jesus reveals that He is whom they seek, they fall backward. Again Jesus asks whom they seek and they state again, they want Jesus. Jesus makes a deal. Let the disciples go and take Him only.

While the offer may have been appealing to those involved, it was not so appealing to Peter. Zealous as he was, he takes up his sword swings at at one of those here to take Jesus. He ends up cutting the ear off this individual, who is revealed to be named Malchus. To this, Jesus sharply rebukes Peter. It was after this that Jesus was officially arrested and brought to trial.

What observations are you making?