John 18

Judas Betrays Jesus

1When Jesus had spoken these words, 1He went away with His disciples across 2the 3ravine of the Kidron, where there was 4a garden which He entered 5with His disciples. 2Now Judas, who was 6betraying Him, also knew the place, because Jesus had 7often met there with His disciples. 38So Judas, having obtained 9the Roman 10cohort and 11officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, 12torches, and weapons. 4Jesus therefore, 13knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, came out into the open and said to them, “14Whom are you seeking?” 5They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6Now then, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7He then asked them again, “15Whom 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 on their way.” 9This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: “16Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, 17since he had 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, am I not to drink it?”

Jesus before the Priests

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

1527Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into 28the courtyard 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 woman who was the doorkeeper 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 area, where all the Jews congregate; and I said nothing in secret. 21Why are you asking Me? Ask those who have heard what I spoke to them. Look: these people know what I said.” 22But when He said this, one of the 40officers, who was 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 still standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “47You are not one of His disciples as well, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26One of the slaves of the high priest, who was related to 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 brought Jesus from 52Caiaphas into 53the 54Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter 55the 56Praetorium, so that 57they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 2958Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, “What accusation are you bringing against this Man?” 30They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not 59a criminal, 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, “We are not 60permitted to put anyone to death.” 32This happened so that 61the word of Jesus which He said, indicating what kind of death He was going to die, would be fulfilled.

33Therefore Pilate 62entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “63You are the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this 64on 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, “65My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not 66of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “67You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: 68to testify to the truth. 69Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” 38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And after saying this, he 70came out again to the Jews and said to them, “71I find no grounds at all for charges in 72His case. 3973However, you have a custom that I release one prisoner 74for you at the Passover; therefore do you wish that I release 75for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they shouted again, saying, “76Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a rebel.