Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:11

"Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" — John 18:11 (ASV)

Jesus’ command to Peter declared his disapproval of Peter’s sudden and violent intervention. Had Jesus desired defense, he could have summoned angelic aid (cf. Matthew 26:52–53). “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” expresses both the necessity of his suffering and his absolute commitment to fulfilling his Father’s purpose. The word “cup” connects this statement with the prayer in Gethsemane, which the other three gospels record (Matthew 26:42; Mark 14:36). Though the writer must have known of Jesus’ struggle, he recorded only the outcome. Jesus accepted the Father’s will and calmly moved on to its fulfillment.