John 18

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which He and His disciples entered.

 

2 And Judas which betrayed Him, also knew of the place: for Jesus oftentimes gathered together there with His disciples.

 

3 Judas then, having received a battalion of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came with lanterns and torches and weapons.

 

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him (that He would be betrayed into the hands of the chief priests and the scribes; and delivered to the Gentiles and be condemned to death), went forth, and said to them, whom do you seek?

 

5 They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I AM He. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood along with the soldiers.

 

6 As soon as He said to them, I AM He, they went backward and fell to the ground.

 

7 Then He asked them again, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

 

8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM He: if you therefore seek Me, let these (men) go their way:

 

9 That His prayer might be fulfilled, which He spoke (to the Father), Of them which You have given Me, I lost none.

 

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

 

11 Then Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword away into its sheath (for all those that take up the sword will perish by the sword): the cup (that will send away death and ratify the promise) which My Father has given Me, will I not drink it?

 

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him,

 

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

 

14 Now Caiaphas was the one who gave counsel to the Jews, (who being the high priest that year, prophesied saying) that it was expedient that one man should die for the people (so that the whole nation not perish).

 

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

 

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

 

17 Then the girl who kept the door said to Peter, Are you not also one of this man's disciples? He said, I am not.

 

18 And the servants and officers who stood had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

 

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

 

20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I continuously taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always gather together; and in secret have I said nothing.

 

21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those that heard Me what I have said to them: behold, they know what I said.

 

22 And when He had spoken in this manner, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Do you answer the high priest like this?

 

23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong (I have done): but if (I have spoken) truthfully, why do you strike Me?

 

24 Now Annas had sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

 

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore 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 the relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him?

 

27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crowed.

 

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the (Roman) hall of judgment: and it was early (morning); and the Jews themselves did not go into the judgment hall, for fear that they should be defiled (in the house of Gentiles); and that they (being defiled) might (not be able to) eat the Passover (meal).

 

29 Pilate then went out to them, and said, What accusation do you bring against this man?

 

30 They answered and said to him, If He were not a lawbreaker, we would not have delivered Him up to you.

 

31 Then said Pilate to them, You take Him and judge Him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him, It is not lawful for us (under Roman law) to put any man to death:

 

32 That the saying of Jesus (that He would be crucified) might be fulfilled, which He spoke, signifying what (type) death He should die.

 

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said to Him, Are you the King of the Jews?

 

34 Jesus answered him, Do you say this thing of yourself, or did others tell it to you about Me?

 

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me: what have You done?

 

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would have fought so that I would not be delivered to the Jews: but now (at this present time) is My kingdom not from here.

 

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, You are a king then? Jesus answered, You say (correctly) that I am a king. To this end, I was born, and for this reason, I came into the world (the express image of His person) so that I should bear witness to the truth (from the Father). Every one that is (born) from the truth (that I and the Father are One) hears My voice.

 

38 Pilate 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 in no fault at all in Him.

 

39 But you have a custom, that I should release to you one (prisoner) at the Passover: would you (like) therefore that I release to you the King of the Jews?

 

40 Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man, but (release to us) Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.