John 18:1

The Betrayal

1. he went forth From the upper room. The same word is used of leaving the room, Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39. Those who suppose that the room is left at John 14:31 (perhaps for the Temple), interpret this of the departure from the city, which of course it may mean in any case.

the brook Cedron Literally, the ravine of the Kedron, or of the cedars, according to the reading, the differences of which are here exceedingly interesting. Of the cedars(τῶν Κέδρων) is the reading of the great majority of the authorities; but of the Kedron(τοῦ κεδροῦ or τοῦ κεδρών) is well supported. Of the cedarsis the reading of the LXX. in 1 Kings 15:13 and occurs as a various reading 2 Samuel 15:23; 1 Kings 2:37; 2 Kings 23:6; 2 Kings 23:12. The inference is that both names were current, the Hebrew having given birth to a Greek name of different meaning but very similar sound. Kedron or Kidron = -black," and is commonly supposed to refer to the dark colour of the water or the gloom of the ravine. But it might possibly refer to the black green of cedar trees, and thus the two names would be united. This detail of their crossing the -Wady" of the Kidron is given by S. John alone; but he gives no indication of a "reference to the history of the flight of David from Absalom and Ahitophel" (2 Samuel 15:23). -Brook" is misleading; the Greek word means -winter-torrent," but even in winter there is little water in the Kidron. Neither this word nor the name Kedron occurs elsewhere in N.T.

a garden Or, orchard. S. Matthew and S. Mark give us the name of the enclosure or -parcel of ground" (John 4:5) rather than -place," of which this -garden" formed the whole or part. Gethsemane = oil-press, and no doubt olives abounded there. The very ancient olive-trees still existing on the traditional site were probably put there by pilgrims who replanted the spot after its devastation at the siege of Jerusalem. S. John gives no hint of a comparison between the two gardens, Eden and Gethsemane, which commentators from Cyril to Isaac Williams have traced. See on Mark 1:13 for another comparison.

and his disciples Literally, Himself and His disciples, Judas excepted.