Commentary on the Gospel According to John John Calvin (continued)
Chapter 18
John 18:1-6
John 18:1-6
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples. 2. And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place; for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples. 3. Then Judas, having received a band of soldiers, and officers from the chief pricsts and Pharisees, came thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons. 4. Now Jesus, knowing all the things which were coming upon him, went forward and said to them, Whom seek ye? 5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them, It is I. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. 6. As soon therefore as he said to them, It is I, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
1. When Jesus bad spoken these words. In this narrative John passes by many things which the other three Evangelists relate, and he does so on purposej as his intention was to collect many things worthy of being recorded, about which they say nothing; and, therefore, let the reader go to the other Evangelists to find what is wanting here.
Over the brook Kedron. In the Greek original there is an article prefixed to Kedron, which would seem to intimate that the brook takes its name from the cedars; 461 but this is probably an error which has crept into the text; for the valley or brook Kedron is often mentioned in Scripture. The place was so called from its being dark or gloomy, because, being a hollow valley, it was shady, 462 on that point, however, I do not dispute: I only state what is more probable.
461Is {Κέδρων}, a proper name, or an appellative? Calvin does not mean that the presence of the article settles this question, but that it depends on the preference which shall be given to one or another of the various readings. If we read {τῶν} {Κέδρων}, it will be difficult to resist the conclusion that {Κέδρων} is the genitive plural of {Κέδρος}, a cedar; but if we read {τοῦ} {Κέδρων}, or rather, {τοῦ} {Κεδρὼν}, we must treat {Κεδρὼν}, as an indeclinable Hebrew word, though Josephus chooses sometimes to decline it, as in the phrase, {χείμαρρον} {Κεδρῶνος}, the brook of Kedron, (Ant. 8:1.) "Instead of the common reading, {τῶν} {Κέδρων}," says Bloomfield, "four of the most ancient MSS. and six ancient Versions, with some Fathers, have,{τοῦ} {Κεδρὼν}, which was preferred by Beza, Casaubon, Campbell, Castalio, Drusius, Lightfoot, Bols, Bynmus, Reland, and others of the best Commentators down to Middleton, Kuinoel, and Tittmann, and has been received by Bengel, Griesbach, Knapp, Vater, and Scholz. The common reading, however, is strenuously, but not satisfactorily, defended by Lampe and Matthsei." Our Author proceeds no further than to propose, {τοῦ} instead of {τῶν}, as a conjectural emendation; but Bloomfield has given a prodigious list of authorities on the same side. — Ed.
462The Hebrew name {{( קדרוןKidron) is derived from ,{( }קדרKadar,) it was black, and signifies the black brook. — Ed.