John 18

Jesus Is Arrested 1When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples. They crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden. Jesus and his disciples went into it. 2Judas knew the place. He was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus had often met in that place with his disciples.

3So Judas came to the garden. He was guiding a group of soldiers and some officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went out and asked them, “Who do you want?”

5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them.

6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved back. Then they fell to the ground.

7He asked them again, “Who do you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8Jesus answered, “I told you I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

9This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true. He had said, “I have not lost anyone God has given me.”

10Simon Peter had a sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.

11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shouldn’t I drink the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” 12Then the group of soldiers, their commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They tied him up 13and brought him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.

14Caiaphas had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter Says He Is Not Jesus’ Disciple 15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. The high priest knew the other disciple. So that disciple went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.

16But Peter had to wait outside by the door. The other disciple came back. He was the one the high priest knew. He spoke to the servant woman who was on duty there. Then he brought Peter in.

17She asked Peter, “You aren’t one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?” “I am not,” he replied.

18It was cold. The slaves and officials stood around a fire. They had made it to keep warm. Peter was also standing with them. He was warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus 19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus. He asked him about his disciples and his teaching. 20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I didn’t say anything in secret.

21Why question me? Ask the people who heard me. They certainly know what I said.”

22When Jesus said that, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this any way to answer the high priest?” he asked. 23“Have I said something wrong?” Jesus replied. “If I have, then tell everyone what it was. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?”

24Annas sent him, tied up, to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Peter Again Says He Is Not Jesus’ Disciple 25Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself by the fire. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 26One of the high priest’s slaves was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. He said to Peter, “Didn’t I see you with Jesus in the garden?”

27Again Peter said no. At that exact moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus Is Brought to Pilate 28Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning. The Jewish leaders did not want to be made “unclean.” They wanted to be able to eat the Passover meal. So they did not enter the palace.

29Pilate came out to them. He asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

30“He has committed crimes,” they replied. “If he hadn’t, we would not have handed him over to you.”

31Pilate said, “Take him yourselves. Judge him by your own law.” “But we don’t have the right to put anyone to death,” they complained.

32This happened so that what Jesus said about how he was going to die would come true.

33Then Pilate went back inside the palace. He ordered Jesus to be brought to him. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34“Is that your own idea?” Jesus asked. “Or did others talk to you about me?”

35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not from this world. If it were, those who serve me would fight. They would try to keep the Jewish leaders from arresting me. My kingdom is from another place.”

37“So you are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, that’s the reason I was born. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.” 38“What is truth?” Pilate replied. Then Pilate went out again to the Jews gathered there. He said, “I find no basis for any charge against him.

39But you have a practice at Passover time. At that time, you ask me to set one prisoner free for you. Do you want me to set ‘the king of the Jews’ free?” 40They shouted back, “No! Not him! Give us Barabbas!” Barabbas had taken part in an armed struggle against the country’s rulers.