< John 18 >
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with his disciples over the brook Kedron; where there was a garden, into which He entred, and his disciples. Now Judas who was gone to betray Him,
2 knew the place: for Jesus often met there together with his disciples: Judas therefore having got a band of soldiers,
3 and officers from the chief priests and pharisees, cometh thither with candles, and lamps, and arms.
4 Upon which Jesus, who knew all that was coming upon Him, went forth and said unto them, Whom do ye seek? They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene.
5 Jesus saith unto them, I am He. And Judas that betrayed Him, was standing with them.
6 Now as soon as He said unto them, I am He, they went backwards and fell to the ground.
7 Then He asked them again, Whom do ye seek?
8 And they said, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the word might be fulfilled which He had spoken, "Of those, whom Thou hast given me, I have lost none."
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 But Jesus said to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12 So the band with the captain, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus, and bound Him:
13 and led Him away to Annas first: (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high-priest that year: )
14 and Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high-priest. Now Caiaphas was he who had said in council to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. And that other disciple being known to the high priest went in with Jesus into the high-priest's hall.
16 But Peter stood at the door without: the other disciple therefore, who was known to the high-priest, went out and spake to her that kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17 Then saith the maid, that kept the door, to Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? and he said, I am not.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and were warming themselves: and Peter was standing with them and warming himself.
19 The high-priest therefore asked Jesus concerning his disciples, and his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world, I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews are continually resorting: and in secret have said nothing. Why dost thou ask me?
21 ask them that heard me, what I have said unto them: for they know what I have said.
22 And upon his saying these things, one of the officers that stood by struck Jesus, saying, Dost thou answer the high-priest thus?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have ever spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why dost thou strike me?
24 [See verse 24 between verse 13 and 14.]
25 And Simon Peter stood warming himself: and they said to him, Art not thou one of his disciples? and he denied it, and said, I am not.
26 Then said one of the servants of the high-priest, kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?
27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately the cock crew.
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the pretorium: (now it was morning) and they themselves went not in to the court, least they should be defiled, and so might not eat of the passover.
29 Therefore Pilate went out to them, and said, What accusation do ye bring against this man?
30 They answered him, If He were not a malefactor, we should not have delivered Him to thee.
31 Then said Pilate to them, Take Him, and judge Him according to your law. But the Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32 that what Jesus had said might be fulfilled, signifying by what death He should die.
33 Pilate therefore went into the palace again, and called Jesus and said to Him, Art thou the king of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Dost thou say this from thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate replied, Am I a Jew? thine own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee to me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought, that I might not have been delivered to the Jews: but my kingdom is not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou then a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest right, I am a king. For this end was I born, and for this came I into the world, even that I might bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth? And as soon as he had spoke, he went out again to the Jews,
39 and saith unto them, I find no fault at all in Him. But ye have a custom, that I should release to you one at the passover; will ye therefore that I release to you the king of the Jews?
40 Then they all cried out again, saying, Not Him, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
