John 18

Judas Betrays Jesus

1When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.

2Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.

3Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom 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, “Whom 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, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”

10Simon Peter then, having 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; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Jesus before the Priests

12So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him,

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

14Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

15Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

16but 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.

17Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?” He *said, “I am not.”

18Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

19The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.

20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.

21“Why 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 officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”

23Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”

24So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter's Denial of Jesus

25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You 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 whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

27Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

28Then they *led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

29Therefore 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 the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

33Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on 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, “My kingdom is 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 of this realm.”

37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

39“But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?”

40So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.