John 18

1When Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

3So Judas came there, bringing a detachment of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4Then Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?”

5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who was betraying him, was also standing with them.

6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7So he asked them again, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.”

9This was to fulfill the word he had spoken: “Of those you have given me I have not lost one.”

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

11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”

12So the detachment of soldiers, their commander, and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.

13They brought him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die for the people.

15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,

16but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

17The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

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

19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.

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

21Why do you question me? Ask those who have heard what I said to them. They know what I said.”

22When he had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus in the face and said, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

23Jesus answered him, “If I have said something wrong, testify about what is wrong. But if I spoke rightly, why do you strike me?”

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

25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?”

27Again Peter denied it, and immediately a rooster crowed.

28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not go into the headquarters, so that they would not become unclean but could eat the Passover.

29So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge are you bringing against this man?”

30They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have handed him over to you.”

31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

32This was to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken to show what kind of death he was going to die.

33So Pilate went back into the headquarters, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on 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, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37So Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

39But you have a custom that I release one man to you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

40They shouted again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.