2 And Judas, who was false to him, had knowledge of the place because Jesus went there frequently with his disciples. 3 So Judas, getting a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lights and with arms. 4 Then Jesus, having knowledge of everything which was coming on him, went forward and said to them, Who are you looking for? 5 Their answer was, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said, I am he. And Judas, who was false to him, was there at their side. 6 And when he said to them, I am he, they went back, falling to the earth. 7 So again he put the question to them, Who are you looking for? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene. 8 Jesus made answer, I have said that I am he; if you are looking for me, let these men go away. 9 (He said this so that his words might come true, I have kept safe all those whom you gave to me.)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 18:2-9
Commentary on John 18:1-12
(Read 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, 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.