Chapter 18
1 When Jesus had spoken these words , he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron , where there was a garden , into which he and his disciples entered .
2 Now Judas , who betrayed him , also knew the place , for Jesus often met there with his disciples .
3 Judas then , having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees , came there with lanterns , torches , and weapons .
4 Jesus therefore , knowing all the things that were happening to him , went out and said to them , " Who are you looking for ?"
5 They answered him , " Jesus of Nazareth ." Jesus said to them , " I am he ." Judas also , who betrayed him , was standing with them .
6 When therefore he said to them , " I am he ," they went backward and fell to the ground .
7 Again therefore he asked them , " Who are you looking for ?" They said , " Jesus of Nazareth ."
8 Jesus answered , " I told you that I am he . If therefore you seek me , let these go their way ,"
9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke , " Of those whom you have given me , I have lost none ."
10 Simon Peter therefore , having a sword , drew it , struck the high priest’ s servant , and cut off his right ear . The servant ’ s name was Malchus .
11 Jesus therefore said to Peter , " Put the sword into its sheath . The cup which the Father has given me , shall I not surely drink it ?"
12 So the detachment, the commanding officer , and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him ,
13 and led him to Annas first , for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas , who was high priest that year .
14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people .
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus , as did another disciple . Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
16 but Peter was standing at the door outside . So the other disciple , who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door , and brought in Peter .
17 Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter , " Are you also one of this man ’s disciples ?" He said , " I am not ."
18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there , having made a fire of coals, for it was cold . They were warming themselves . Peter was with them , standing and warming himself .
19 The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching .
20 Jesus answered him , " I spoke openly to the world . I always taught in synagogues and in the temple , where the Jews always meet . I said nothing in secret .
21 Why do you ask me ? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them . Behold , they know the things which I said ."
22 When he had said this , one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand , saying , " Do you answer the high priest like that ?"
23 Jesus answered him , " If I have spoken evil , testify of the evil ; but if well , why do you beat me ?"
24 Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas , the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself . They said therefore to him , " You aren’ t also one of his disciples , are you ?" He denied it and said , " I am not ."
26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off , said , "Didn’ t I see you in the garden with him ?"
27 Peter therefore denied it again , and immediately the rooster crowed .
28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium . It was early , and they themselves didn’ t enter into the Praetorium , that they might not be defiled , but might eat the Passover .
29 Pilate therefore went out to them and said , " What accusation do you bring against this man ?"
30 They answered him , " If this man weren’t an evildoer , we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you ."
31 Pilate therefore said to them , " Take him yourselves , and judge him according to your law ." Therefore the Jews said to him , " It is illegal for us to put anyone to death,"
32 that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled , which he spoke , signifying by what kind of death he should die .
33 Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium , called Jesus , and said to him , " Are you the King of the Jews ?"
34 Jesus answered him , " Do you say this by yourself , or did others tell you about me ?"
35 Pilate answered, " I ’m not a Jew , am I ? Your own nation and the chief priests 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 fight, that I wouldn’ t be delivered to the Jews . But now my Kingdom is not from here ."
37 Pilate therefore said to him , " Are you a king then ?" Jesus answered , " You say that I am a king . For this reason I have been born , and for this reason I have come into the world , that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice ."
38 Pilate said to him , " What is truth?" When he had said this , he went out again to the Jews , and said to them , " I find no basis for a charge against him .
39 But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover . Therefore , do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews ?"
40 Then they all shouted again , saying , " Not this man , but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber .