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John 18

18
Jesus Is Arrested
1When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden. He and his disciples went into it.
2Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies, knew that place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a group of soldiers and some officials sent by the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
“That’s me,” Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them. 6When Jesus said, “That’s me,” they all backed up and fell to the ground.
7He asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8Jesus responded, “I told you, that’s me. If you’re looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true, “I haven’t lost a single one of those you’ve given me.”
10Simon Peter had a sword and he pulled it out. He swung at the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
11“Put your sword away!” Jesus commanded Peter. “Shouldn’t I drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
12Then the group of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They tied him up 13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Peter Says He’s Not Jesus’ Disciple
15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. The high priest knew who the other disciple was, so he could go in with Jesus to the high priest’s courtyard. 16But Peter had to wait outside by the door. The other disciple, the one the high priest knew, came back and spoke to the servant woman who was on duty there, so he could bring Peter in.
17She asked Peter, “You’re not one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?”
“No, I’m not,” he answered.
18It was cold, and the slaves and officials were standing around a fire that they’d started so they could keep warm. Peter stood there with them, trying to stay warm too.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20“I’ve spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I’ve always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I haven’t said anything in secret. 21So why are you questioning me? Ask the people who heard me. Certainly they know what I said.”
22When Jesus responded this way, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is that any way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “then tell everyone what it was. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?” 24Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Again Says He’s Not Jesus’ Disciple
25Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there by the fire keeping warm. They asked him, “You’re not one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?”
“No, I’m not,” he answered.
26One of the high priest’s slaves was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. He said to Peter, “Didn’t I see you with Jesus in the garden?” 27Again Peter said no. At that exact moment, a rooster began to crow.
Jesus Is Brought to Pilate
28Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning. The Jewish leaders didn’t enter the palace, because they didn’t want to be made unclean. They wanted to be able to eat the Passover meal. So 29Pilate came out to them. He asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30“He’s a criminal,” they answered. “If he weren’t, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”
31Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we’re not allowed to put anyone to death,” they responded. 32This happened so that what Jesus had said about how he was going to die would come true.
33Then Pilate went back inside the palace and ordered Jesus to be brought to him. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34“Are you concerned about that yourself?” Jesus asked. “Or is that what others have been telling you about me?”
35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would have fought to keep the Jewish leaders from arresting me. My kingdom is from another place.”
37“So you’re a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I’m a king. The reason I was born and came into the world was to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.”
38“What is truth?” Pilate retorted. Then he went out again to the Jews who were gathered there. He said, “I don’t find any basis for a charge against him. 39But your tradition is to ask me to set one prisoner free for you at Passover time. Do you want me to set ‘the king of the Jews’ free?”
40They shouted back, “No! Not him! Give us Barabbas!” Barabbas was a man who’d taken part in a rebellion against the country’s rulers.

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