Church Fathers Commentary John 18:1-2

"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. Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples." — John 18:1-2 (ASV)

St. Augustine of Hippo: After the discourse our Lord had with His disciples after supper and the prayer that followed had ended, the Evangelist begins the account of His Passion. When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. But this did not happen immediately after the prayer concluded; an interval occurred, containing some events that John omits but the other Evangelists mention.

A dispute arose among them about which of them was the greatest, as Luke relates. He also said to Peter, as Luke adds in the same passage, Behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. And according to Matthew and Mark, they sang a hymn and then went to the Mount of Olives. Finally, Matthew brings the two narratives together: Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane. This is the place John mentions here: where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

The phrase When Jesus had spoken these words shows that He did not enter the garden until He had finished speaking.

St. John Chrysostom: But why does John not say, When He had prayed, He entered? Because His prayer was a discourse for His disciples’ sake. It was now nighttime. He goes and crosses the valley, hastening to the place known to the traitor. In this way, He gave no trouble to those who were lying in wait for Him and showed His disciples that He went voluntarily to His death.

Alcuin of York: Over the brook Cedron—that is, "of cedars," as it is the genitive case in Greek. He goes over the brook, meaning He drinks from the brook of His Passion. Where there was a garden—so that the sin committed in a garden, He might blot out in a garden. Paradise signifies a garden of delights.

St. John Chrysostom: So that it would not be thought that He went into the garden to hide Himself, the text adds, But Judas who betrayed Him knew the place, for Jesus often resorted there with His disciples.

St. Augustine of Hippo: There the wolf in sheep’s clothing—permitted by the profound counsel of the Master of the flock to go among the sheep—learned how to disperse the flock and ensnare the Shepherd.

St. John Chrysostom: Jesus had often met and talked alone with His disciples there about essential doctrines that were not lawful for others to hear. He did this on mountains and in gardens to be out of the reach of noise and tumult. Judas, however, went there because Christ had often spent the night there in the open air. He would have gone to Jesus's house if he had thought he would find Him sleeping there.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Judas knew that during the feast time our Lord was accustomed to teaching His disciples high and mysterious doctrines, and that He taught in places like this one. Since it was a solemn season, Judas thought Jesus would be found there, teaching His disciples matters relating to the feast.