John 18

1. After saying these things, Jesus went out with His disciples to a place beyond the winter stream of Kidron, where there was a garden into which He and His disciples entered.

2. And Judas, who was betraying Him, also knew of the place because Jesus had often gathered there with His disciples.

3. Then Judas, after receiving a band and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with torches and lamps and weapons.

4. Jesus, therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Who are you seeking?”

5. They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarean.” Jesus said to them, “I AM.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them.

6. But when He said to them, “I AM,” they went backward and fell to the ground.

7. Then He asked them again, “Who are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarean.”

8. Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. Therefore, if you are seeking Me, allow these to go their way”;

9. So that the saying might be fulfilled which He had said, “Of those whom You have given Me, not one of them have I lost.”

10. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the servant’s name was Malchus.

11. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?”

12. Then the band and the chief captain and the officers of the Jews took hold of Jesus, and bound Him;

13. And they led Him away to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

14. Now it was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was profitable for one man to perish for the people.

15. But Simon Peter and the other disciple followed Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest.

16. But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

17. Then the maid who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “Are you not also a disciple of this Man?” He said, “I am not.”

18. Now the servants and the officers had made a fire, for it was cold; and they were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was also standing and warming himself.

19. Then the high priest questioned Jesus concerning His disciples and concerning His teachings.

20. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always assemble, and I spoke nothing in secret.

21. Why do you question Me? Ask those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, they know what I said.”

22. But after He said these things, one of the officers who was standing by struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Do You answer the high priest in that way?”

23. Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

24. Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.

25. Now as Simon Peter was standing and warming himself, they said to him, “Are you not also one of His disciples?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.”

26. One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him?”

27. Then Peter again denied it; and immediately a cock crowed.

28. Now then, they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the judgment hall, and it was early. But they did not go into the judgment hall, so that they would not be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

29. Therefore, Pilate came out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30. They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”

31. Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your own law.” But the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death”;

32. So that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He had spoken to signify by what death He was about to die.

33. Then Pilate returned to the judgment hall and called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34. Jesus answered him, “Do you ask this of yourself, or did others say it to you concerning Me?”

35. Pilate answered Him, “Am I a Jew? The chief priests and your own nation have delivered You up to me. What have You done?”

36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, so that I might not be delivered up to the Jews. However, My kingdom is not of this world.”

37. Pilate therefore answered Him, “Then You are a king?” Jesus answered, “As you say, I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, that I may bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38. Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And after saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I do not find any fault in Him.

39. And it is a custom with you that I release one to you at the Passover. Do you then desire that I release the King of the Jews to you?”

40. But they all shouted again, saying, “Not this one, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.