John 18:1-18 Jesus' Arrest and Peter's First Denial

In John 13 Peter tells Jesus that "I will lay down my life for thy sake" and Jesus tells him "...verily, verily, I say  unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."  Peter was so sure of his love for Christ, so sure that he would never deny him but in John 18 we have the fulfillment of Jesus words to Peter, and in V15-18 the first of three denials that Peter was one of Jesus' disciples.

John 18 follows the prayer of Jesus: for himself, his disciples and all those who will believe on him through the preaching of the  gospel.  Jesus goes over the brook Cedron with his disciples, and is met by Judas and a band of men.

V1-5 "..Jesus...went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:...Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, 'Whom seek ye?'..  They answered him Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus saith unto them, I am he.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them."

The betrayal of Judas was truly abhorrent for as Luke's gospel tells us, Judas betrayed him with a kiss that would identify Jesus.  The chief priests and Pharisees had sent an armed group of men with Judas, as though they would be able to overpower the Son of God.   Jesus knew all these things would happen, and were happening as the plan of God unfolded towards Jesus going to the cross to redeem his own.  He asked the men who they were seeking, but he already knew.   Even at that point Judas could have repented of his actions, but he stood fast with those who came for Jesus.