John 18:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
When Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
When Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
6 of 25
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὃν
the which
G3739
ὃν
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Mark 14:32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.Matthew 26:36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.2 Samuel 15:23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.John 18:26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?John 14:31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.1 Kings 15:13And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.2 Kings 23:12And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.2 Kings 23:6And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.2 Chronicles 30:14And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.2 Chronicles 15:16And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
Historical Context
John wrote 60-90 AD, emphasizing themes his readers would recognize. The Kidron crossing evoked David's humiliation and return to glory. First-century Jews would see Jesus as the true King entering His passion voluntarily, not as victim but victor. Gethsemane ("oil press") was a private olive grove where Jesus frequently met with disciples (18:2), making Judas's betrayal more intimate and treacherous.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus's deliberate crossing of the Kidron reveal about His willing acceptance of the Father's plan versus being a passive victim?
- How does the garden motif (Eden, Gethsemane, garden tomb) frame the biblical narrative of fall and redemption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When Jesus had spoken these words—This marks the transition from the Upper Room Discourse (chapters 13-17) to the Passion narrative. Jesus deliberately went forth (ἐξῆλθεν, exēlthen), the same verb used of His voluntary mission from the Father (8:42, 13:3). He was not arrested; He advanced toward His appointed suffering.
Over the brook Cedron (τοῦ χειμάρρου τῶν Κέδρων, tou cheimarrou tōn Kedrōn)—The Kidron Valley, flowing between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, held profound typological significance. David crossed it fleeing from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:23); now the greater Son of David crosses it to face betrayal and enthronement. This was the ravine where animal blood and temple refuse were disposed—Jesus crosses toward His role as sin-bearer. Where was a garden—Gethsemane. Sin began in a garden (Eden); redemption is secured in a garden (Gethsemane) and completed at a garden tomb (19:41).