John 18
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
When Jesus had spoken these words, ahe went out with his disciples across bthe brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew athe place, for bJesus often met there with his disciples. 3 aSo Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, aknowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, b“Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 aWhen Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, a“Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 aThis was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, ahaving a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; ashall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they aled him to bAnnas, for he was the father-in-law of cCaiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews athat it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Peter Denies Jesus
15 aSimon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 abut Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 aThe servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. aPeter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 aThe high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken aopenly bto the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. cI have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, a“Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 aAnnas then sent him bound to aCaiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 aNow Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of athe man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you bin the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and aat once a rooster crowed.
Jesus Before Pilate
28 aThen they led Jesus bfrom the house of Caiaphas to cthe governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, dso that they would not be defiled, ebut could eat the Passover. 29 aSo Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, a“Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 aThis was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken bto show by what kind of death he was going to die.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33 aSo Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, b“Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, a“My kingdom bis not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, cmy servants would have been fighting, that dI might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, a“You say that I am a king. bFor this purpose I was born and for this purpose cI have come into the world—dto bear witness to the truth. eEveryone who is fof the truth glistens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, ahe went back outside to the Jews and told them, b“I find no guilt in him. 39 aBut you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, a“Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.