John 18:2-23

2Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus and his disciples often gathered there.

3So Judas took a troop of soldiers and the guards from the chief priests and Pharisees and went to the garden. They were carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, “Who are you looking for?”

5They answered him, “Jesus from Nazareth.” Jesus told them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with the crowd.

6When Jesus told them, “I am he,” the crowd backed away and fell to the ground.

7Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus from Nazareth.”

8Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these other men go.”

9In this way what Jesus had said came true: “I lost none of those you gave me.”

10Simon Peter had a sword. He drew it, attacked the chief priest’s servant, and cut off the servant’s right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away. Shouldn’t I drink the cup ⌞of suffering⌟ that my Father has given me?”

12Then the army officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus. They tied Jesus up

13and took him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas, the chief priest that year,

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

15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. The other disciple was well-known to the chief priest. So that disciple went with Jesus into the chief priest’s courtyard.

16Peter, however, was standing outside the gate. The other disciple talked to the woman who was the gatekeeper and brought Peter into the courtyard.

17The gatekeeper asked Peter, “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples too?” Peter answered, “No, I’m not!”

18The servants and the guards were standing around a fire they had built and were warming themselves because it was cold. Peter was standing there, too, and warming himself with the others.

19The chief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teachings.

20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly for everyone to hear. I have always taught in synagogues or in the temple courtyard, where all the Jews gather. I haven’t said anything in secret.

21Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I said to them. They know what I’ve said.”

22When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing near Jesus slapped his face and said, “Is that how you answer the chief priest?”

23Jesus replied to him, “If I’ve said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if I’ve told the truth, why do you hit me?”