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Introduction
The focus of this teaching is John 18, which highlights two key figures—Judas and Peter—and their roles in the arrest of Jesus. The theme is exploring their part in Jesus’s story and what that reveals about our own lives.
The Garden of Gethsemane
John 18 picks up after Jesus finishes praying with his disciples. He crosses the Kidron Valley and enters a familiar olive grove, known from other Gospels as the Garden of Gethsemane, where he goes alone to pray. This was a regular meeting place for him and his disciples, which Judas knew well. Judas had left during the Passover meal, and while the disciples assumed he went to give money to the poor (a Passover custom), in reality, he had gone to betray Jesus to the religious leaders.
What were Judas’s motives? From John 13:2 and other Gospel accounts, it’s clear Judas was disappointed that Jesus wasn’t the type of Messiah he expected—one who would lead a political uprising and reign as king. Judas had believed Jesus might establish a new kingdom, and saw an opportunity for personal gain. But as it became clear that Jesus wasn’t building a military movement and was instead a target of the religious elite, Judas decided to “cash in” and betray him.
Judas’s betrayal reveals that he was never a true follower of Jesus. In John 13, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet to teach them servant leadership, telling them they are "clean," except for one. This symbolic language shows that the others had been spiritually cleansed, but Judas had not. Despite appearing to be a genuine disciple—so much so that no one suspected him—Jesus saw through the facade. The disciples were puzzled when Jesus predicted that one of them would betray him, indicating how convincingly Judas had blended in.
Judas returns to the olive grove with a group of Roman soldiers and temple guards. He likely assumed Jesus would be there, given his familiarity with the spot. The term used for the Roman detachment, maniple, referred to around 200 soldiers, although it’s unlikely that all were present. Large numbers of troops were in Jerusalem during Passover to prevent uprisings, which helps explain the intimidating military presence.
Jesus, fully aware of what lay ahead, steps forward willingly. His prayer in Gethsemane (referenced from Matthew 26) reveals his deep anguish as he asks the Father to remove the “cup” of suffering if possible, but ultimately submits to God's will. The “cup” metaphor reflects God’s stored-up wrath against sin, as portrayed in the Old Testament. Jesus resolves to bear this wrath in place of humanity.
In John 12:27, Jesus acknowledges his troubled soul but affirms that he came precisely for this moment. This underscores Jesus’s purpose: to take on the judgment of humanity and fulfill God's plan for redemption.
Judas’s Betrayal
As Jesus confronts the crowd, they confirm they are seeking “Jesus the Nazarene,” to which Jesus responds, “I am he.” Judas stands with the group. Other Gospel accounts add a significant detail: Judas had prearranged a sign—a kiss—to identify Jesus for arrest. In the ancient world, this kiss was a respectful greeting toward one’s rabbi. In this context, it becomes a symbol of betrayal. Jesus, shocked by the duplicity, asks Judas, “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”—highlighting the perverse misuse of a sign of affection.
John includes an unusual detail: when Jesus says “I am he,” the arresting party steps back and falls to the ground. Some scholars speculate this could have been a physical reaction to Jesus stepping forward or even divine authority in his words. Others suggest the use of God’s personal name in Aramaic may have caused them to recoil in fear.
Peter’s Misguided Boldness and Jesus’s Arrest
Peter then takes impulsive action, drawing a sword and cutting off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest. Peter’s behavior is an attempt to prove his loyalty after previously declaring he would die for Jesus. But Jesus had already foretold Peter’s denial. Far from being heroic, Peter’s act was reckless and misguided—targeting a servant rather than a Roman soldier reveals his limited courage and misunderstanding of Jesus’s mission.
Jesus rebukes Peter and commands him to sheath the sword, reiterating his willingness to drink the cup of suffering that God has prepared. He does not want to be defended from fulfilling his divine purpose.
Jesus is then arrested by the soldiers and taken first to Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the current high priest. This seemingly unnecessary detail actually matches historical records. While some critics try to discredit the Bible by claiming historical inaccuracies, this detail supports the authenticity of the narrative. Annas, though no longer officially high priest, still wielded considerable influence, which is consistent with this account.
Jesus was first taken to Annas before being sent to Caiaphas, despite Caiaphas being the official high priest. Historically, Annas had been deposed by the Roman governor but was still viewed by many Israelites as the legitimate high priest. This cultural detail, found in the biblical narrative, reinforces the historical accuracy of the Gospel account. The story then shifts its focus to Judas, who disappears from John’s narrative after Jesus's arrest, and whose fate is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.
The Tragic End of Judas
Matthew 27 reveals Judas’s remorse after learning that Jesus was condemned to die. Likely expecting Jesus to be imprisoned rather than executed, Judas tries to return the thirty pieces of silver to the religious leaders, confessing that he has betrayed innocent blood. However, the leaders coldly dismiss him, prompting Judas to throw the money into the temple and take his own life by hanging. Judas’s life was tragic: though he felt guilt and remorse, he ultimately died separated from God. John 17:12 confirms his condemnation when Jesus calls him “the one doomed to destruction.” Judas represents a person who appeared to follow Jesus but never truly believed. His end is one of despair and judgment.
Peter’s Denial and Deep Regret
In contrast to Judas, Peter continues to follow Jesus after the arrest. Along with another disciple who knew the high priest, Peter gains entry to the courtyard where Jesus is being held. There, as Jesus predicted in John 13, Peter denies being one of Jesus's disciples three times. The third denial is especially emphatic, with Peter swearing, “May God damn me if I know this man,” as recorded in Mark 14.
Luke 22 adds a dramatic moment: after Peter’s final denial, the rooster crows and Jesus turns to look at him. The realization of his failure hits Peter hard. He leaves the courtyard and weeps bitterly. This scene is intense as Peter’s impulsive boldness gave way to fear and weakness, shown in multiple Gospel accounts. His moment of failure is both painful and defining.
Two Archetypes: Judas the Self-Seeker and Peter the Vacillator
There is a contrast between Judas and Peter, representing two different kinds of flawed followers. Judas is portrayed as a self-seeker—someone who followed Jesus for personal gain. With tens of thousands of followers at the height of Jesus’s ministry, Judas saw an opportunity for power and honor. But when it became clear that Jesus was not going to establish an earthly kingdom, he abandoned the mission and betrayed him for profit.
Peter, on the other hand, is described as a vacillator—someone driven by emotion and self-confidence. He made bold claims about loyalty but faltered when it mattered most. Self-confident people often overestimate their capabilities while underestimating challenges, which leads to failure. They may also avoid difficult tasks for fear of failure, making them vulnerable when real tests arise. Peter’s devotion seemed genuine during emotional highs but collapsed under social pressure.
Many people follow Jesus in hopes that he will fulfill their personal goals or ease their dissatisfaction. But when God's call diverges from their ambitions, they face a crisis of decision. Both Judas and Peter reached that crossroads—Judas chose betrayal, Peter chose self-preservation.
Emotional Enthusiasm vs. Spiritual Endurance
Peter’s emotional highs, such as witnessing the transfiguration or receiving praise from Jesus, led him to believe he was spiritually strong. But those moments did not prepare him for trials. Emotional fervor is not the same as enduring devotion. Meanwhile, Judas’s calculation was based on return on investment. When following Jesus no longer served his goals, he walked away.
Peter's specific weakness was that he feared disapproval more than death. Though he boasted about being willing to die for Jesus, he couldn’t handle the shame or rejection of being associated with him. This highlights a common human struggle—valuing others’ opinions more than faithfulness to God.
The hypocrisy of Judas is another key takeaway. He played the part of a devoted follower, even criticizing others for wasting resources—like when he objected to the woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume in John 12. Yet Scripture reveals that Judas didn’t care for the poor at all; he was stealing from the group’s money bag. His presence in Jesus’s circle was self-serving long before the final betrayal. He didn’t change overnight; his betrayal was the culmination of a gradual inward departure from faith.
Judas: Secret Theft and Superficial Loyalty
Judas was stealing from the group's shared funds even during Jesus's ministry. Although he sometimes pretended to care about the poor, John makes it clear that Judas’s motives were selfish. His discipleship was a façade—he was involved not out of devotion to Jesus, but because of the personal benefits he received.
[Reddit example]. This mirrors Judas’s dynamic—participating in spiritual community without real spiritual commitment.
Peter’s Hypocrisy and Judas’s Fate
Peter, too, displayed hypocrisy. He claimed he would die for Jesus but ended up disowning him in Jesus’s moment of greatest need. Though Peter didn’t betray Jesus to the authorities like Judas did, his denial was still a deeply personal disavowal. While Judas’s betrayal led to his destruction and separation from God, Peter’s failure ultimately led to transformation—he would become a pillar in the early church. This stark difference raises the question: why such different outcomes from seemingly similar failures?
Regret vs. Repentance: Two Paths After Failure
The answer lies in how each man responded to failure. The Bible distinguishes between worldly regret and biblical repentance. Regret involves sorrow and guilt, as Judas experienced, but repentance involves a change in mindset and a turning back to God.
Repentance isn't just about how we feel—since emotions can vary and conscience can be unreliable. Just as smoke detectors can be overly sensitive or dangerously silent, our moral instincts need to be calibrated against the objective truth of God’s word. Culture and personal feelings can't be trusted to define right and wrong. Instead, repentance involves aligning ourselves with what God says is true.
Worldly regret often leads to self-justification, excuse-making, or blaming others, like trying to pose in a flattering way for a photo to appear better than we are. In contrast, biblical repentance takes full responsibility—without excuses or blame shifting—and seeks to repair the damage done. It’s more concerned with restoring closeness with God than simply avoiding consequences.
Biblical repentance doesn’t just stop at sorrow—it includes taking steps to make things right, whether that means apologizing, repaying, or accepting consequences. It leads to freedom and restoration, not shame and destruction. In contrast, worldly regret leads to isolation, shame, and sometimes despair—like Judas, who took his own life.
[Friend example]. God’s grace doesn’t just cover sin—it transforms failure into something redemptive. Repentance allows people to own their mistakes without being owned by them.
True repentance results in openness, relief, and joy. Many who’ve fallen morally become powerful examples for others once they bring their failure into the light.
- Repentance begins by acknowledging that Jesus drank the cup of suffering on our behalf. There is no earning God’s acceptance—it’s entirely by grace. Faith in Jesus results in forgiveness and eternal life.
- The difference between defeat and victory lies in our response to failure. Everyone will stumble. What matters is whether we turn away from God in regret, or toward Him in repentance.
- Unrepented sin, past or recent, must be brought before God. If there's something weighing on us, the invitation is to acknowledge it and ask God what steps to take next.