THE BOOK OF JOHN

 

John Chapter 18

1 ¶ Having said these things, Jesus went out with his disciples beyond the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he, and his disciples entered.

2 And Judas, who betrayed him, also knew of the place: for Jesus often met there with his disciples.

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

4 Jesus therefore, knowing everything that would happen to him, went out, and asked them, Who are you looking for?

5 They answered, Jesus of Nazareth. I am he, Jesus said. And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them.

6 As soon as he said, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

7 Then he asked them again, Who are you looking for? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: therefore if you are looking for me, let these others go their way:

9 This was to fulfill the words that he said, Of those whom you gave me I have lost none.

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

11 Then Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into the sheath: shall I not drink the cup that my Father has given me?

12 Then the soldiers, their leader, and the Jewish officers arrested Jesus, and bound him,

13 ¶ And led him away first to Annas; for he was father in law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.

14 Now it was Caiaphas, who advised the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

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

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

17 Then the girl who watched the door said to Peter, Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples? He said, I am not.

18 Now the servants and guards were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and as they warmed themselves: Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

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

20 I have spoken openly to the world, Jesus replied; I regularly taught in the synagogues, or in the temple, where the Jews always assemble; and I did not say anything in secret.

21 Why then do you question me? ask those who heard me, what I said to them: surely, they know what I said.

22 And when he said this, one of the officers standing there struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Is that any way to answer the high priest?

23 Jesus answered, If I have said something wrong, bear witness of the wrong: but if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?

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

25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself. They asked him, Aren’t you also one of his disciples? And he denied it, saying, I am not.

26 One of the servants of the high priest, who was a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?

27 Peter then denied it again: and immediately a roster crowed.

28 ¶ Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they did not go into the judgment hall themselves, so that they might not be defiled; but could eat the passover.

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

30 In answer they said, If he were not an evildoer, we would not have brought him to you.

31 Then Pilate said, Take him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews replied, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32 That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, that he spoke, signifying the kind of death he was going to die.

33 Then Pilate went back into the judgment hall, and summoned Jesus, and asked him, Are you the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered, Are you asking this on your own, or did others say it 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 was of this world, my servants would be fighting, to prevent my arrest by the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from here.

37 Pilate therefore asked him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say rightly that I am a king. To that end was I born, and for that reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.

38 Pilate then said, What is truth? And after he said that, he again went out to the Jews, and said to them, I find no fault in him at all.

39 But you have a custom, that I should release one prisoner to you at the passover: do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

40 Then they all shouted back, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

[Note: Verse 28: The fact that such defilement ended at evening tells us that this verse is not talking about eating the Paschal lamb, which would have been eaten the night before, but about participating in the Chagigah feast that afternoon, which was part of their celebration (Lenski).]