Judas Knew the Place - John 18:2

The apostle John wrote how Jesus, “went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples”, and in chapter eighteen and verse two of his book John shared how, “Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place” where we read:

And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:

for Jesus ofttimes resorted there with his disciples.

The verse reads, “And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:” John began with the words, “and Judas also” which means “and Jesus' disciple Judas of Iscariot whose name means he shall be praised even so and indeed”, “which betrayed him” or “who delivered into the hands of another to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented and put to death him, Jesus”, “knew the place” which means “was aware of the location of the garden to which Jesus entered”. John shared how Jesus' disciple “Judas Iscariot” was aware of the “garden” to which Jesus and His disciples entered.

The verse goes on to say, “for Jesus ofttimes resorted there with his disciples.” John continued with the words, “for Jesus” or “because, since and on account that the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “ofttimes resorted there” which means “many times and frequently gathered, assembled and met in that garden” “with his disciples” or “alongside his, Jesus', students, pupils and attendants”. John shared how “Jesus” frequently visited that “garden” alongside of His disciples.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how “Judas Iscariot” was well aware of the “garden” to which Jesus and His disciples entered. This “garden of Gethsemane” was filled with “olive trees” through which “olive oil” was derived. The name “Gethsemane” means “oil press”, and because the harvesters would “press” the olives to obtain the “oil” within them, this location became a fitting place where the Son of God and Christ Jesus would be “pressed” just before He was arrested, tried, convicted, tortured, scourged and put to death on the cross. Jesus entered this “garden” knowing that “Judas Iscariot” would betray Him, and He willingly allowed this to provide “salvation” from sins for all mankind. Those who are wise will carefully think through Jesus' willing sacrifice so they may live with Him forever and yield their lives to the only One who provides “the way” to relate to God.

Next time we see John shares how Judas, “having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".