John 18:10-40

10Then Simon Peter, 1since 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; 2the cup which the Father has given Me, am I not to drink it?”

123So 4the Roman 5cohort, the 6commander, and the 7officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13and brought Him to 8Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of 9Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that 10it was in their best interest for one man to die in behalf of the people.

1511Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into 12the courtyard of the high priest, 1613but 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. 1714Then the slave woman who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “15You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the slaves and the 16officers were standing there, having made 17a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were 18warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

1919The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20Jesus answered him, “I 20have spoken openly to the world; I always 21taught in 22synagogues and 23in 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 24officers, who was standing nearby, 25struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 2326Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 2427So Annas sent Him bound to 28Caiaphas the high priest.

2529Now 30Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “31You 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 32whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in 33the garden with Him?” 27Peter then denied it again, and immediately 34a rooster crowed.

2835Then they brought Jesus from 36Caiaphas into 37the 38Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter 39the 40Praetorium, so that 41they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 2942Therefore 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 43a 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 44permitted to put anyone to death.” 32This happened so that 45the word of Jesus which He said, indicating what kind of death He was going to die, would be fulfilled.

33Therefore Pilate 46entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “47You are the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this 48on 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, “49My 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 50of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “51You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: 52to testify to the truth. 53Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” 38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And after saying this, he 54came out again to the Jews and said to them, “55I find no grounds at all for charges in 56His case. 3957However, you have a custom that I release one prisoner 58for you at the Passover; therefore do you wish that I release 59for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they shouted again, saying, “60Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a rebel.