John 18: 1-11
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
The Arrest in the Olive Grove (John 18: 1-11)
While Matthew and Mark inform us that it was called ‘Gethsemane’ (meaning ‘oil-press’, Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32) John adds that it was a garden (verse 1). The translators combine these two pieces of information and presume that the garden was an ‘olive grove’. It was on the far side of the Kidron Valley; the word translated ‘valley’ means a winter torrent, so presumably it was perfectly dry in the summer, but in the winter became a raging, over-flowing torrent. Space was too expensive and limited in Jerusalem for gardens, but many rich people had them outside the city. Jesus and his disciples often retreated to this particular spot (verse 2). Surprisingly, John doesn’t say anything about the agony that Jesus experienced in the garden, although he does record that Jesus spoke about the ‘cup’ of suffering he must drink.
Think: Why do you think that John does not mention the agonized prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane? (Read Matthew 26:36-46.)







