Joh 18:13-24 | TNotes

18:14 ^a one man should die for the people: Caiaphas had previously made this political analysis (11:49-50 ^b). John points out the irony of this statement. Jesus’ death did not bring Israel political salvation—it brought spiritual salvation to all who believe.
18:15 ^c That other disciple is unnamed but was probably the “disciple Jesus loved” (13:23 ^d)—John, the author of this Gospel.
Summary for John 18:16-17: 18:16-17 ^e During Jesus’ interrogation by Annas (18:12-14 ^f, 19-24 ^g), the woman watching at the gate asked Peter if he was one of that man’s disciples. In contrast to Jesus, who stood up to his questioners and denied nothing, Peter quickly denied his link to Jesus three times (18:17 ^h, 25 ⁱ, 27 ^j).
18:19 ^k The high priest began asking Jesus questions, but his inquiry was contrary to Jewish legal procedure. In Jewish court, the priest did not ask questions directly of the defendant but accumulated evidence from witnesses to establish guilt (see Num 35:30 ^l; Deut 17:6 ^m; 19:15 ⁿ; cp. Matt 18:16 ^o). If Jesus said anything incriminating, Annas would later use it to testify against him at Jesus’ trial. He was attempting to follow Roman practice by making Jesus incriminate himself, rather than gathering evidence through witnesses as Jewish law demanded.
Summary for John 18:20-21: 18:20-21 ^p Jesus’ sharp answer, reminding Annas that everything was in the public record, unmasked the priest’s attempt to follow Roman practice.
Summary for John 18:22-23: 18:22-23 ^q When Jesus reminded Annas of correct judicial procedure, one of the Temple guards viewed it as insolence and slapped Jesus. However, Jesus knew the law and represented it truthfully. No witnesses were accusing him, and no evidence was being presented.
18:24 ^r Annas was at an impasse—his probing had been unsuccessful. So he sent Jesus to Caiaphas to be prosecuted before the Sanhedrin, Jerusalem’s judicial high council (see Mark 14:53–15:1 ^s).