John 18:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one."

NIV: This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

NASB: This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: 'Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.'

CSB: This was to fulfill the words he had said: "I have not lost one of those you have given me."

NLT: He did this to fulfill his own statement: 'I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.'

KJV: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

NKJV: that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

While praying before coming to the garden (John 17:1), Jesus mentioned that He had not lost any of those given to Him by God the Father (John 17:12). To maintain that protection, He has made it clear to His enemies that He is to suffer what needs to happen, not the disciples (Matthew 20:18; John 12:32–33; 13:26–27). Judas and his group of armed men (John 18:1–5) were thrown to the ground by Jesus' power (John 18:6–7), followed by a demand that they leave the others alone (John 18:8).

Christ's actions here create a snapshot of the gospel, itself. With complete awareness and knowledge, God Himself stands between His followers and harm, taking on Himself the consequences of hatred and evil (John 3:16; Philippians 2:8).

Presumably, Jesus' desire is clear to the arresting soldiers: to allow the disciples to leave. Peter, however, will once again act stubbornly, trying to make good on his earlier bragging (John 13:37). Other Gospels include more details (Luke 22:49–51), but John simply notes Peter's fumbling attempt at holy war, and Jesus' immediate rebuke (John 18:10–11).

John 18:1–11 occurs after Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (John 17). The garden setting evokes both the beginning and end of human history (Genesis 2:8; Revelation 22:1–5). Christ's obedience contrasts with the disobedience of Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45; Philippians 2:8; Genesis 3:12). Writing after the other Gospels were in circulation, John skips over Jesus' prayers in the garden (Matthew 26:36–46). Judas arrives to identify Jesus so He can be arrested. Christ provides a last demonstration of power before submitting to His enemies. Peter's maiming of a servant is mentioned, along with Jesus' rebuke of Peter, but not the healing of the servant's ear (Luke 22:50–51), or the disciples retreat (Matthew 26:56). David, also, experienced betrayal by a close ally while crossing Kidron on the way to the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:23–31).

Jesus is secretly, quietly arrested in the garden of Gethsemane and taken to a series of sham trials before Jewish leadership. This leads to His encounter with the local Roman governor. Jesus accepts being described as "King" but denies that His current purpose is earthly rule. A mob assembled by Jesus' enemies reject Pilate's attempt to free Jesus. In the meantime, Peter fulfills Christ's prophecy about a three-fold denial.

John's Gospel was written well after the other three, so he frequently chooses to present different details. Chapter 17 detailed Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, just before He entered the garden of Gethsemane. This chapter describes Jesus' arrest, sham trials before Jewish leadership, and the beginning of His trial before the Roman governor. In the following chapter, Jesus will be unfairly condemned, executed, and buried.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.