John 18:1
What does John 18:1 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:1 means
After His profound final discourse and prayer recorded in chapters 13-17, Jesus deliberately crosses the Kidron Valley with His disciples towards a garden. This garden, likely Gethsemane, was a familiar retreat. His chosen path, over the valley where sacrifices were drained from the temple, symbolically foreshadows His own impending sacrifice. His act of entering the garden with His disciples, even knowing what awaited Him, underlines His divine purpose and readiness to fulfill God's redemptive plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
KJV
King James Version · 1611When 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When Jesus had said these words he went out with his disciples over the stream Kedron to a garden, into which he went with his disciples.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862These things having said, Jesus went forth with his disciples beyond the brook of Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When Jesus had said these things, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus, having said these things, went out with his disciples beyond the torrent Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, he and his disciples.
Context
This verse marks a crucial transition from Jesus' intimate final teachings and prayer to the active unfolding of His passion. It sets the geographical scene for His betrayal and arrest, emphasizing His conscious movement toward His destiny. The prior chapters established His identity and mission; now, He steps directly into the events that will bring those truths to their culmination.
v.1This passage
v.2Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 18:26
One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
- Luke 22:39
And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.
- 2 Samuel 15:23
And 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.
- 1 Kings 15:13
And also Maacah his mother he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
- 2 Chronicles 15:16
And also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
- Jeremiah 31:40
And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto Jehovah; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
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