Albert Barnes Commentary John 18:1

"When 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." — John 18:1 (ASV)

The brook Cedron. This was a small stream that flowed to the east of Jerusalem, through the valley of Jehoshaphat, and divided the city from the Mount of Olives. It was also called Kidron and Kedron. In summer it is almost dry.

The word used here by the evangelist—ceimarrou—denotes properly a water-stream (from ceima, shower or water, and rew, rodv, to flow, flowing), and the idea is that of a stream that was swollen by rain or by the melting of the snow (Passow, Lex.).

This small rivulet runs along on the east of Jerusalem until it is joined by the water of the pool of Siloam, and the water that flows down on the west side of the city through the valley of Jehoshaphat, and then goes off in a southeast direction to the Dead Sea. (See the Map of the Environs of Jerusalem in vol. i.)

Over this brook David passed when he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23). It is often mentioned in the Old Testament (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 30:14; 2 Kings 23:6, 12).

Where was a garden. On the west side of the Mount of Olives. This was called Gethsemane. (See Barnes, Matthew 26:36).

It is probable that this was the property of some wealthy man in Jerusalem—perhaps some friend of the Savior. It was customary for the rich in great cities to have country-seats in the vicinity. This, it seems, was so accessible that Jesus was accustomed to visit it, and yet so retired as to be a suitable place for devotion.