John 18

Jesus Is Arrested

1After Jesus said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden. He and his disciples entered it. 2Judas, the one handing him over, also knew the place because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas took a cohort of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?” 5They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said, “I am.” Judas, the one handing him over, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am. So if you are looking for me, let these people go.” 9This happened so that the word he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I did not lose one of those you gave me.” 10Simon Peter had a sword. He drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Should I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Jesus Before Annas and Caiaphas

12Then the cohort, its commander, and the Jewish officers arrested Jesus and bound him. 13They led him first to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was better for one man to die for the people. 15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest and entered the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16But Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17The servant girl guarding the door said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18The slaves and officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around warming themselves. Peter was also standing with them, warming himself. 19The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jewish people gather. I said nothing in secret. 21Why are you questioning me? Ask those who heard what I told them. Look—they know what I said.” 22When Jesus said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped him and said, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered him, “If I spoke wrongly, testify about what was wrong. But if I spoke rightly, why do you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus

25Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Peter denied it again, and immediately 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 they would not become defiled but could eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came outside to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” 30They answered, “If he were not doing evil, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your Law.” The Jewish leaders said, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32This happened so that Jesus’ word might be fulfilled, indicating what kind of death he was about to die. 33Pilate went back into the headquarters, called Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this from yourself, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and 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 fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is from the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After saying this, Pilate went out again to the Jewish leaders and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But you have a custom that I release someone for you at Passover. Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” 40They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.