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JOHN 18:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 18John 18:2
“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.”
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, and he and his disciples entered it — Jesus departs the upper room to a garden beyond the Kidron (variant: Cedron), the winter stream separating Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. The garden setting echoes the Genesis paradox: where creation's first humanity fell, the Last Adam enters willing obedience. Unlike the Synoptics' Gethsemane agony narrative, John presents Jesus' resolve and control from the outset, his submission already perfected in prayer.

Church Fathers on John 18:1

The discourse, which our Lord had with His disciples after supper, and the prayer which followed, being now ended, the Evangelist begins the account of His Passion. When Jesus had spoken these words, He came forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into which He entered, and His disciples. But this did not take place immediately after the prayer was ended; there was an interval containing some things, which John omits, but which are mentioned by the…

Augustine · 4th century

But why does not John say, When He had prayed, He entered? Because His prayer was a speaking for His disciples’ sake. It is now night time; He goes and crosses the brook, and hastens to the place which was known to the traitor; thus giving no trouble to those who were lying in wait for Him, and strewing His disciples that He went voluntarily to die.

Chrysostom · 4th century

Over the brook Cedron, i.e. of cedars. It is the genitive in the Greek. He goes over the brook, i.e. drinks of the brook of His Passion. Where there was a garden, that the sin which was committed in a garden, He might blot out in a garden. Paradise signifies garden of delights.

Alcuin · 8th century
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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