Study note

John 18:1–2

  • Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley. This was a dry river valley (a wadi) outside the eastern walls of Jerusalem.

  • a garden: This is the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). This garden was a group of olive trees on the west side of the Mount of Olives. The Aramaic name gath shemaney means “olive press.” Jesus liked this place and often prayed there (see John 8:1; Luke 21:37; 22:39).