John 18

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.2 Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.3 Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.6 When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.7 Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.8 Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.10 Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant’s name was Malchus.11 Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?12 So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,13 and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.14 Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;16 but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.17 The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.19 The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.20 Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.21 Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.22 And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not.26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?27 Peter therefore denied again: and straightway the cock crew.28 They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.29 Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man?30 They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.31 Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:32 that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should die.33 Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?34 Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?40 They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)

JOHN 18

Jesus Is Betrayed //and Arrested

(Matthew 26.47-56; Mark 14.43-50; Luke 22.47-53)

1 When Jesus had finished praying, he and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went into a garden.t

2 Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and Judas knew where the place was.

3-5 Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked, “Who are you looking for?”
They answered, “We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!”
Jesus told them, “I am Jesus!”t

6 At once they all backed away and fell to the ground.

7 Jesus again asked, “Who are you looking for?”
“We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth,” they answered.
8 This time Jesus replied, “I have already told you that I am Jesus. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go.

9 Then everything will happen, just as I said, ‘I did not lose anyone you gave me.’ ”
10 Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He pulled it out and struck at Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

11 t Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away. I must drink from the cupt that the Father has given me.”

Jesus Is Brought to Annas

(Matthew 26.57,58; Mark 14.53,54; Luke 22.54)

14 t This was the same Caiaphas who had told the Jewish leaders, “It is better if one person dies for the people.”

Peter Says He Doesn't //Know Jesus

(Matthew 26.69,70; Mark 14.66-68; Luke 22.55-57)

17 but asked him, “Aren't you one of that man's followers?”
“No, I am not!” Peter answered.

18 It was cold, and the servants and temple police had made a charcoal fire. They were warming themselves around it, when Peter went over and stood near the fire to warm himself.

Jesus Is Questioned //by the High Priest

(Matthew 26.59-66; Mark 14.55-64; Luke 22.66-71)

21 Why are you questioning me? Why don't you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said.”

22 As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, “That's no way to talk to the high priest!”
23 Jesus answered, “If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?”

24 Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Again Denies //that He Knows Jesus

(Matthew 26.71-75; Mark 14.69-72; Luke 22.58-62)

25 While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself, someone asked him, “Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?”
Again Peter denied it and said, “No, I am not!”

26 One of the high priest's servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, “Didn't I see you in the garden with that man?”

27 Once more Peter denied it, and right then a rooster crowed.

Jesus Is Tried by Pilate

(Matthew 27.1,2,11-14; Mark 15.1-5; Luke 23.1-5)

28 It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken from Caiaphas to the building where the Roman governor stayed. But the crowd waited outside. Any of them who had gone inside would have become unclean and would not be allowed to eat the Passover meal.t

29 Pilate came out and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

30  t They answered, “He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you.”

31 Pilate told them, “Take him and judge him by your own laws.”
The crowd replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.”

32 t And so what Jesus said about his deatht would soon come true.

33 Pilate then went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?”

35 “You know I'm not a Jew!” Pilate said. “Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom doesn't belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to our leaders. No, my kingdom doesn't belong to this world.”

37 “So you are a king,” Pilate replied.
“You are saying that I am a king,” Jesus told him. “I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice.”

38 Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”

Jesus Is Sentenced to Death

(Matthew 27.15-31; Mark 15.6-20; Luke 23.13-25)

39 And since I usually set a prisoner free for you at Passover, would you like for me to set free the king of the Jews?”
40 They shouted, “No, not him! We want Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a terrorist.t