John 18

Jesus Is Arrested

1After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas brought a cohort of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these go.” 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those you gave me I have lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus Before the High Priest

12So the soldiers, their officer, and the Judean officers arrested Jesus and bound him. 13First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14It was Caiaphas who had advised the Judeans that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17The woman who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the slaves and the officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made, because it was cold, and they were warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

Jesus Questioned

19The 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 synagogues and in the temple, where all the Judeans gather, and I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. Look—they know what I said.” 22When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike me?” 24Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Again

25Now Simon 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 slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Peter again denied it; and at once a rooster crowed.

Jesus Before Pilate

28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. 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 out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Judeans said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

33So Pilate entered the headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Judeans?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you say this from yourself, or did others say it to you about me?” 35Pilate answered, “Am I a Judean? Your own nation and the chief priests have 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 Judeans. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world: to 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 Judeans and told them, “I find no case against him. 39But you have a custom that I release one prisoner for you at Passover. So do you want me to release for you the King of the Judeans?” 40They cried out again, “Not this one, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.