John 18
1After saying these things, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron ravine. There was a garden there, which he and his disciples entered. 2Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas took the cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4Jesus, knowing everything that was coming upon him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5They answered him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who was betraying him, was also standing with them. 6When he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9This was so that the word he had spoken might be fulfilled: “Of those you have given me, I lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12Then the cohort, its commander, and the Jewish officers arrested Jesus and bound him. 13They took him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die for the people.
15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard. 16But Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17The slave girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18The slaves and officers stood around a charcoal fire they had made because it was cold, warming themselves. Peter also stood with them, warming himself.
19The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus and said, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered him, “If I spoke wrongly, testify about what was wrong. But if rightly, why strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26One of the high priest's slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
28They took Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so that they would not be defiled but could eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered him, “If he were not doing evil, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” 32This was so that Jesus' word might be fulfilled, indicating what kind of death he was going to die.
33Pilate went back into the headquarters, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you say 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 from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my officers would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate 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 have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is from the truth hears my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After saying this, he went out to the Jews again and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But you have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. So do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?” 40They shouted again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.