John 18:1 - When Jesus had said these words, he and his disciples went over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples entered the garden.
John 18:2 - Judas, who betrayed him, was well aware of the site because Jesus would often go there with his disciples.
John 18:3 - Judas, having met up with the soldiers and thugs from the religious leaders, came to the garden carrying lights and weapons.
John 18:4 - Jesus, knowing everything that was to happen to him in the future, went out and asked them who they were looking for.
John 18:5 - They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. And Jesus said to them, I am he. And Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, stood with them also.
John 18:6 - As soon as he had told them, I’m him, they backed up and fell to the ground.
John 18:7 - Then he asked them again: Whom are you looking for? And they answered: Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:8 - In reply Jesus said, I told you that I am who you seek: if you wish to see me, let these men go on their way:
John 18:9 - So that the saying he told us about will come true, I haven’t lost any of the ones that you gave me.
John 18:10 - Then Simon the Rock drew the sword he was packing, and attacked Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
John 18:11 - Then Jesus told Peter, Put your sword away in its case: my Father gave me a job to do, shouldn’t I do it?
John 18:12 - Then the mob, along with the captain and officers, grabbed Jesus and tied him up,
John 18:13 - First he was brought to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.
John 18:14 - It was Caiaphas that suggested to the Jews that one man had to die for the people.
John 18:15 - Simon Peter and another disciple, one that knew the high priest, followed Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
John 18:16 - Peter stood outside the door. The other disciple, who knew the high priest, spoke to the woman that guarded the door and brought Peter inside.
John 18:17 - Then asked the woman that stood at the doorway to peter, aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples? He said, no I’m not.
John 18:18 - The officers and their servants stood in front of the fire warming themselves. Peter stood alongside, also warming himself.
John 18:19 - Jesus was asked about his doctrine and his disciples by the highest priest.
John 18:20 - I have always spoken the truth and kept nothing from anyone.
John 18:21 - Don’t ask me what I said, ask those who heard me as to what I said and you will find they know.
John 18:22 - After He had spoken, one of the officers standing near Jesus slapped him, saying, How dare you speak to the high priest like that.
John 18:23 - Jesus answered him: If I have spoken maliciously, report that; but if I have spoken fairly, why do you want to strike me down?
John 18:24 - Annas sent him to the high priest Caiaphas.
John 18:25 - Simon Peter was standing around getting warm. They asked him, Aren’t you one of his followers? He insisted that he wasn’t.
John 18:26 - One of the high priest’s servants, who had his ear cut off by Peter, asked, Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?
John 18:27 - Peter denied it again, and the rooster crowed immediately.
John 18:28 - They took Jesus away from Caiaphas to the hall of judgement, since it was early they did not go into the hall so they would not be made dirty and would be able to eat the passover meal.
John 18:29 - Pilate asked all the people, what do you say this man has done?
John 18:30 - They answered him by saying, we gave him to you because he was a troublemaker.
John 18:31 - Pilate told them, He is yours, let him by your law be bound. The Jews replied, Our law cannot sentence any man to death.
John 18:32 - So the prophecy would be fulfilled, Jesus spoke, describing the way, in which, he would die.
John 18:33 - Then Pilate re-entered the court and called out to Jesus, Are you the King of the Jews?
John 18:34 - Jesus answered him, do you say this about me yourself, or did you hear it from others.
John 18:35 - I am not Jewish, responded Pilate, Yet your own people and priests have brought you to me. What have you done?
John 18:36 - Jesus answered, my place is not on this earth. If my place were on this earth, my followers would fight for me and would not give me over to the Jews. But I do not belong here.
John 18:37 - Are you a king? Pilate asked. Jesus spoke, You say that I am a king. This is why I was born and this is why I am in the world, so that I may see these truths. If you speak the truth you will hear my voice.
John 18:38 - Pilate said to him, What is the truth? And after he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and told them, I can’t find anything that this man did wrong.
John 18:39 - You have a tradition that I should let one go on passover: do you want me to let the King of the Jews go?
John 18:40 - They all shouted in unison, Not him, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a thief.