John 18

1After saying these things, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.

2Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often gathered there with his disciples.

3So Judas, having taken the cohort and officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees, comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things coming upon him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5They answered him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am he.” Now Judas, who was betraying him, was also standing with them.

6So when he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward and fell to the ground.

7So he asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are seeking me, let these men go.”

9so that the word that he had spoken might be fulfilled: “Of those whom you have given me, I lost not one.”

10Then Simon Peter, 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.

11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

12So the cohort, the commander, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.

13And they led him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die for the people.

15Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and he went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,

16But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.

17So the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

18The servants and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

19So the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.

20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I said nothing in secret.”

21Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I said to them. Look, they know what I said.

22And when he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus, saying, “Is this how you answer the high priest?”

23Jesus answered him, “If I spoke wrongly, testify about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike me?”

24So Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26One of the high priest’s servants, being a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?”

27Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

28So they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the governor’s headquarters. Now it was early morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

29So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30They answered and said to him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over to you.”

31So Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

32so that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled, which he had spoken, indicating by what kind of death he was about to die.

33So Pilate went back into the governor’s headquarters and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

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

35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting so that I might not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37Then Pilate said to him, “So then, are you a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no case against him.”

39But you have a custom that I release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

40So they shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.