Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    1 Chronicles 8, John 18

    DateVersionReading Plan
    December 12, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

    1 Chronicles 8

    Observation & Interpretation

    The chapter contains the genealogy of Benjamin, including that of Saul.

    1 Chron. 8:33-34 – The Chronicler provides the lineage of Saul. Ner → Kish → Saul → Jonathan → Merib-baal → Micah → Pithon, Melec, Terea, Ahaz → Jehoadda → Alemeth → Azmaveth, Zimri → Moza → Binea → Rapha → Eleasah → Azel → Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan.

    Application

    The name of “Saul” can bring to the memory experiences of failure an enmity, but the inclusion of “Jonathan” is a reminder that “not all Benjaminites are like Saul,” and his son “Merib-baal” recalls David’s loyalty and compassion. David’s actions—and the consequent ongoing cooperative relationships between Judah and Benjamin—point forward to the compassion fo Jesus Christ and the breaking down of barriers within his church. (ESVEC – Response)

    John 18

    Observation & Interpretation

    Directly following Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, John records that Jesus and His disciples went out across the brook Kidron where there was a garden. John’s account is absent a number of details included in the synoptics regarding the garden of Gethsemane. There is no mention of Jesus’ prayer with the Father or His interactions with the disciples. Instead, it quickly ushers to Judas’ interception of Jesus with his band of soldiers and officers seeking to arrest Jesus (John 18:3). However, we do see in John’s account a feature missing from the other Gospels, namely, that Judas knew the place and that Jesus often met there with His disciples (John 18:2).

    John 18:9 -In His interaction with Judas, Jesus references His prayer with the Father from the previous chapter, saying, “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” It is a summary of John 17:12, “which harks back to 6:39 and 10:28. Jesus is portrayed as the good shepherd who chose death to save his sheep (10:11, 15, 17–18, 28).” (CSB Notes)

    John 18:13-14 – The first Jewish authority figure Jesus is brought before is Annas, the father-in-law of Caiphas, who was high priest that year. John describes how it was Caiphas “who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.” (John 18:14). The CSB Notes provides helpful insight that Annas “also had been high priest during AD 6–15” and that “He continued to wield considerable influence.”

    John 18:15-16 – John records that Peter and “another disciple” followed Jesus. Peter stood outside the door, but “the other disciple” (known to the high priest) went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch on the door. The “other disciple” is commonly known as the Apostle John. The omission of his name (common throughout the Gospel) reflects both John’s humility and of his true authorship of the Gospel account.

    John 18:19 – John describes that Jesus was questioned by the high priest, but this was before he was sent bound to Caiphas (John 18:24). “If [the high priest] was Annas, as seems most likely, he was probably called high priest out of courtesy because he once held this office.” (BBC)

    John 18:27-28 – In John’s narration of the events, we read of Peter’s denial of Jesus and the rooster crowing, but there is no mention of Peter’s sorrowful reaction due to his betrayal of Jesus as there is in the synoptics. Directly following the crowing of the rooster, John reports that Jesus was led from the house of Caiphas to the governor’s headquarters (John 18:28).

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