King James Version

What Does John 18:11 Mean?

John 18:11 in the King James Version says “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink i...” — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

John 18:11 · KJV

Context

9

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. year: year. And Annas sent Christ bound unto Caiaphas the high priest

Read John 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus's rebuke is immediate and emphatic: "Put up thy sword into the sheath" (βάλε τὴν μάχαιραν εἰς τὴν θήκην/bale tēn machairan eis tēn thēkēn). The aorist imperative βάλε (bale) means "cast, throw, put"—a forceful command to immediately cease armed resistance. Peter's attempt to prevent Jesus's arrest directly opposed the Father's will, making it satanic in nature—recall Jesus's "Get behind me, Satan" to Peter in Matthew 16:23.

Then Jesus asks the rhetorical question: "the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (τὸ ποτήριον ὃ δέδωκέν μοι ὁ πατήρ, οὐ μὴ πίω αὐτό;/to potērion ho dedōken moi ho patēr, ou mē piō auto). The ποτήριον (potērion, "cup") metaphorically represents suffering, judgment, and divine wrath throughout Scripture (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17). The perfect tense δέδωκεν (dedōken, "has given") emphasizes the Father's completed sovereign appointment of Christ's suffering.

The double negative οὐ μὴ (ou mē) with the subjunctive creates the strongest possible negation in Greek—"I absolutely will drink it." This is not passive resignation but active obedience. Jesus drinks the cup of God's wrath against sin so His people never taste that cup (Revelation 14:10). The possessive "my Father" reveals the relational context of Jesus's obedience—He submits not to abstract fate but to His loving Father's will.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cup metaphor would resonate deeply with Jesus's disciples and John's readers, steeped in Old Testament imagery. Prophets described God's judgment as a cup of trembling and fury that Jerusalem must drink (Isaiah 51:17-22, Ezekiel 23:31-34). The Passover cup ceremony, which Jesus had just reinterpreted in the upper room (Luke 22:20), provided immediate context—the new covenant in His blood. In the ancient world, drinking someone's cup could signify sharing their fate or accepting their appointed portion. Jesus's willing acceptance of His Father's cup meant embracing the full penalty for sin—physical torture, spiritual desolation, and death itself.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's rebuke of Peter challenge our attempts to avoid suffering or protect ourselves from God's appointed trials?
  2. What is the significance of Jesus describing His suffering as a cup given by the Father, not imposed by Satan or human enemies?
  3. In what ways does Christ's drinking the cup of God's wrath secure our salvation and spare us from judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
εἶπεν1 of 24

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν2 of 24

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὁ3 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 24

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τῷ5 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρῳ6 of 24

“unto Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

Βάλε7 of 24

“Put up”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

τὴν8 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μάχαιραν9 of 24

“sword”

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

σου10 of 24

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

εἰς11 of 24

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν12 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θήκην·13 of 24

“the sheath”

G2336

a receptacle, i.e., scabbard

τὸ14 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποτήριον15 of 24

“the cup”

G4221

a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate

ὃ16 of 24

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δέδωκέν17 of 24

“hath given”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μοι18 of 24

“me”

G3427

to me

ὁ19 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ20 of 24

“my Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

οὐ21 of 24
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ22 of 24
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πίω23 of 24

“drink”

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

αὐτό24 of 24

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:39Matthew 20:22John 20:17John 12:27-28John 15:10Hebrews 12:2

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