John 18

1When Jesus had finished praying, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley. There was a garden there, and Jesus and his disciples went into it.

2Judas, who was going to betray Jesus, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

3So Judas came to the garden, leading a group of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So Jesus stepped forward and asked them: Who are you looking for?

5They answered: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said: I am he. And Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was standing there with them.

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

7So Jesus asked them again: Who 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 others go.

9This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true: I have not lost one of those you gave me.

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

11But Jesus said to Peter: Put your sword away! Should I not drink the cup the Father has given me?

12Then the soldiers, their captain, and the Jewish officers arrested Jesus. They tied Jesus up

13And led Jesus first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

14Caiaphas was the one who had told the Jewish leaders that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. That other disciple was known to the high priest, so that other disciple went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard.

16But Peter waited outside at the door. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl at the door, and brought Peter in.

17The girl at the door said to Peter: Aren't you also one of this man's disciples? Peter said: I am not.

18It was cold, so the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire. They were standing around it, warming themselves. And Peter stood there with them, warming himself too.

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

20Jesus answered: I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jewish people come together. I said nothing in secret.

21Why are you asking me? Ask the people who heard me. They know what I said.

22When Jesus said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus in the face and said: Is that how you answer the high priest?

23Jesus answered: If I said something wrong, then say what was wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?

24Then Annas sent Jesus, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.

25As Simon Peter stood warming himself, they asked him: Aren't you also one of Jesus' disciples? Peter 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: Didn't I see you with Jesus in the garden?

27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster crowed.

28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's palace. It was early morning. The Jewish leaders did not go inside, because they did not want to make themselves unclean; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.

29So Pilate came outside to them and asked: What charge are you bringing against this man?

30They answered: If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.

31Pilate said to them: Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law. But the Jewish leaders said: We are not allowed to put anyone to death.

32This happened so that the words of Jesus would come true, about the kind of death Jesus was going to die.

33Then Pilate went back inside the palace, called Jesus, and asked him: Are you the King of the Jews?

34Jesus answered: Is that your own question, or did others tell you about me?

35Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? It was your own people and the chief priests who handed you over to me. What have you done?

36Jesus said: My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my servants would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not from here.

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

38Pilate said to Jesus: What is truth? After Pilate said this, Pilate went out again to the Jewish leaders and told them: I find nothing wrong with this man.

39But it is your custom for me to set one prisoner free for you at the Passover. So do you want me to set free the King of the Jews?

40They shouted back: No, not this man! Give us Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.