John 18

Judas Betrays Jesus

1When Jesus had spoken these words, 1He went forth with His disciples over 2the 3ravine of the Kidron, where there was 4a garden, in which He entered 5with His disciples. 2Now Judas also, who was 6betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had 7often met there with His disciples. 38Judas then, having received 9the Roman 10cohort and 11officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and 12torches and weapons. 4So Jesus, 13knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “14Whom do you seek?” 5They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Therefore He again asked them, “15Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9to fulfill the word which He spoke, “16Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10Simon Peter then, 17having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; 18the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Jesus before the Priests

1219So 20the Roman 21cohort and the 22commander and the 23officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13and led Him to 24Annas first; for he was father-in-law of 25Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that 26it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

1527Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into 28the court of the high priest, 1629but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 1730Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “31You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the slaves and the 32officers were standing there, having made 33a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were 34warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

1935The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20Jesus answered him, “I 36have spoken openly to the world; I always 37taught in 38synagogues and 39in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22When He had said this, one of the 40officers standing nearby 41struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 2342Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 2443So Annas sent Him bound to 44Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

2545Now 46Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “47You 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, being a relative of the one 48whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in 49the garden with Him?” 27Peter then denied it again, and immediately 50a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

2851Then they led Jesus from 52Caiaphas into 53the 54Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into 55the 56Praetorium so that 57they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 2958Therefore Pilate went out 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 delivered Him to you.” 31So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32to fulfill 59the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

33Therefore Pilate 60entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “61Are You the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this 62on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36Jesus answered, “63My kingdom 64is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not 65of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “66You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, 67to testify to the truth. 68Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he 69went out again to the Jews and said to them, “70I find no guilt in Him. 3971But you have a custom that I release someone 72for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release 73for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they cried out again, saying, “74Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.