John 18 · Verse 1

John 18:1

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

John 18:1, King James Version

John 18:1 in other translations

BSB	After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden.
WEB	When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
ASV	When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
YLT	These things having said, Jesus went forth with his disciples beyond the brook of Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples,
DARBY	Jesus, having said these things, went out with his disciples beyond the torrent Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, he and his disciples.
BBE	When Jesus had said these words he went out with his disciples over the stream Kedron to a garden, into which he went with his disciples.
Webster	When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.

What does John 18:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 18:1-3

Joh 18:1-13. Betrayal and Apprehension of Jesus.

1-3. over the brook Kedron--a deep, dark ravine, to the northeast of Jerusalem, through which flowed this small storm brook or winter torrent, and which in summer is dried up. where was a garden--at the foot of the Mount of Olives, "called Gethsemane; that is, olive press (Mt 26:30, 36).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 1. The brook Cedron. This was a small stream that flowed to the east of Jerusalem, through the valley of Jehoshaphat, and divided the city from the Mount of Olives. It was also called Kidron and Kedron. In summer it is almost dry. The word used here by the evangelist--χειμαρρου denotes properly a water-stream (from χειμα shower or water, and ρεω, ροδς, to flow, flowing), and the idea is that of a stream that was swollen by rain or by the melting of the snow (Passow, Lex.). This small rivulet runs along on the east of Jerusalem till it is joined by the water of the pool of Siloam, and the water that flows down on the west side of the city through the valley of Jehoshaphat, and then goes off in a south-east direction to the Dead Sea. (See the Map of the Environs of Jerusalem in vol. i.) Over this brook David passed when he fled from Absalom, 2Sam 15:23. It is often mentioned in the Old Testament, 1Kgs 15:13; 2Chr 15:16; 2Chr 30:14; 2Kgs 23:6,12.

Where was a garden. On the west side of the Mount of Olives. This was called Gethsemane. Mt 26:36. It is probable that this was the property of some wealthy man in Jerusalem--perhaps some friend of the Saviour. It was customary for the rich in great cities to have country-seats in the vicinity. This, it seems, was so accessible that Jesus was accustomed to visit it, and yet so retired as to be a suitable place for devotion.

(a) "Cedron" 2Sam 15:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Jesus passes the brook Cedron, and goes to the garden of Gethsemane, Joh 18:1. Judas, having betrayed him, comes to the place with a troop of men to take him, Joh 18:2, Joh 18:3. Jesus addresses them, and they fall to the ground, Joh 18:4-6. He addresses them again, and Peter smites Malchus, Joh 18:7-11. They seize him and lead him away to Caiaphas, Joh 18:12-14. Peter follows to the palace of the high priest, Joh 18:15-18. The high priest questions Christ concerning his doctrine, and Jesus answers, and is smitten, Joh 18:19-23. Peter denies his Lord twice, Joh 18:24-27. Jesus is led to the judgment hall, and Pilate and the Jews converse about him, Joh 18:28-32. Pilate converses with Jesus, who informs him of the spiritual nature of his kingdom, Joh 18:33-37. Pilate returns to the Jews, and declares Christ to be innocent, Joh 18:38. He seeks to discharge him, and the Jews clamor for his condemnation, Joh 18:39, Joh 18:40. Verse 1 Over the brook Cedron - Having finished the prayer related in the preceding chapter, our Lord went straight to the garden of Gethsemane, Mat 26:36, which was in the mount of Olives, eastward of Jerusalem. This mount was separated from the city by a very narrow valley, through the midst of which the brook Cedron ran: see 1 Maccabees 12:37; Joseph. War, b. v. c. 2, s. 3. xii. 2. Cedron is a very small rivulet, about six or seven feet broad, nor is it constantly supplied with water, being dry all the year, except during the rains. It is mentioned in the Old Testament: 2Sam 15:23; 1Kgs 15:13; 2Kgs 23:4. And it appears the evangelist only mentions it here to call to remembrance what happened to David, when he was driven from Jerusalem by his son Absalom, and he and his followers obliged to pass the brook Cedron on foot: see 2Sam 15:23. All this was a very expressive figure of what happened now to this second David, by the treachery of one of his own disciples. This brook had its name probably from קדר Kadar, he was black; it being the place into which the blood of the sacrifices, and other filth of the city, ran. It was rather, says Lightfoot, the sink, or the common sewer, of the city, than a brook. Some copyists, mistaking Κεδρων for Greek, have changed του into των, and thus have written των Κεδρων, of cedars, instead of του Κεδρων, the brook of Cedron: but this last is undoubtedly the genuine reading. A garden - Gethsemane: see on Mat 26:36 (note). The Jewish grandees had their gardens and pleasure grounds without the city even in the mount of Olives. This is still a common custom among the Asiatics. St. John mentions nothing of the agony in the garden; probably because he found it so amply related by all the other evangelists. As that account should come in here, the reader is desired to consult the notes on Mat 26:36-47 (note). See also Mar 14:30-36 (note), and Luk 22:40-44 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 18:1-12

Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye? When the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch. 6:15, but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered himself; for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck them down he could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It must have been the effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldiers let the disciples go away quietly, after the resistance which had been offered. Christ set us an example of meekness in sufferings, and a pattern of submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us; sufferings are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's authority, and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighter afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose our Father's will, or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself submitted to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty; thus the Son makes us free.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

John 18:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤαῦταTautaThese thingsG3778

εἰπὼνeipōnhaving saidG2036

ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424

ἐξῆλθενexēlthenwent outG1831

σὺνsunwithG4862

τοῖςtoistheG3588

μαθηταῖςmathētaisdisciplesG3101

αὐτοῦautouof HimG846

πέρανperanbeyondG4008

τοῦtoutheG3588

χειμάρρουcheimarrouwinter streamG5493

τοῦtouof theG3588

ΚεδρὼνKedrōnof KidronG2748

ὅπουhopouwhereG3699

ἦνēnthere wasG1510

κῆποςkēposa gardenG2779

εἰςeisintoG1519

ὃνhonwhichG3739

εἰσῆλθενeisēlthenenteredG1525

αὐτὸςautosHe himselfG846

καὶkaiandG2532

οἱhoitheG3588

μαθηταὶmathētaidisciplesG3101

αὐτοῦ.autouof Him.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 18:1

2 Samuel 15:23
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mark 14:32
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
John 18:26
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Luke 22:39-40
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
John 14:31
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
2 Chronicles 15:16
And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
2 Kings 23:6
And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
2 Chronicles 30:14
And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
1 Kings 15:13
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
Genesis 3:23
Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Jeremiah 31:40
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Judas betrays Jesus.
6 The officers fall to the ground.
10 Peter smites off Malchus' ear.
12 Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15 Peter's denial.
19 Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25 Peter's second and third denial.
28 Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36 His kingdom.
40 The Jews prefer Barabbas.

spoken.
13:31-35; 14:1-17:26
he.
14:31; Mt 26:36; Mr 14:32; Lu 22:39,40
the brook.
2Sa 15:23; 1Ki 15:13; 2Ki 23:6,12; 2Ch 15:16; 30:14; Jer 31:40
Kidron. a garden.
26; Ge 2:15; 3:23

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
John 18:2
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Read all of John 18

John 18:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	COMO Jesús hubo dicho estas cosas, salióse con sus discípulos tras el arroyo de Cedrón, donde estaba un huerto, en el cual entró Jesús y sus discípulos.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ayant dit ces choses, Jésus s’en alla avec ses disciples au-delà du torrent du Cédron, où était un jardin, dans lequel il entra, lui et ses disciples.
German Elberfelder 1871	Als Jesus dieses gesagt hatte, ging er mit seinen Jüngern hinaus über den Bach Kidron, wo ein Garten war, in welchen er hineinging, er und seine Jünger.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Hæc cum dixisset Jesus, egressus est cum discipulis suis trans torrentem Cedron, ubi erat hortus, in quem introivit ipse, et discipuli ejus.