John 18:11

Jesus’ response, as John recorded it, focuses the reader’s attention on Jesus. The Cross was necessary, and Jesus had committed Himself to enduring it. Peter’s brave though misdirected act showed that He still failed to realize that Jesus’ death was necessary. Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Therefore Jesus rebuked Peter even though this disciple showed remarkable loyalty to His teacher. The cup to which He referred was the symbol of His lot in life (cf. Matthew 20:22-23), which in this case involved bearing God’s wrath (cf. Psalms 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22; Jeremiah 25:15; Ezekiel 23:31-33; Matthew 26:42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19).

"Peter had a sword in his hand, but our Lord had a cup in His hand. Peter was resisting God’s will but the Saviour was accepting God’s will." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:374.]

John’s account focuses on Jesus’ presentation of Himself to His enemies. This was an essential step in His voluntary self-sacrifice for the sins of humankind. It was not surrender as such since that word implies that the person surrendering is guilty. It was not a request for arrest either since that would have removed some of the guilt for His death from His captors.