John 18 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

1. Soldiers and guards arrest Jesus ([18:1–11](../18/01.md))2. The priests question Jesus, and Peter denies Jesus ([18:12–27](../18/12.md))3. Pilate questions Jesus ([18:28–40](../18/28.md))

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

“It is not lawful for us to put any man to death”

The Roman government did not allow the Jews to kill criminals, so the Jews needed to ask Pilate, the governor, to kill him ([18:31](../18/31.md)).

King of the Jews

When Pilate asked if Jesus were the King of the Jews ([18:33](../18/33.md)), he was asking if Jesus were claiming to be a political leader like King Herod, whom the Romans allowed to rule Judea. When he asked the crowd if he should release the King of the Jews ([18:39](../18/39.md)), he is mocking the Jews, because the Romans and Jews hated each other. He was also mocking Jesus, because he did not think that Jesus was a king at all. (See: figs-irony)