John 18:1–24

Jesus Is Arrested

18When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples. They crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a grove of olive trees. Jesus and his disciples went into it.

²Judas knew the place. He was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus had often met in that place with his disciples. ³So Judas came to the grove. He was guiding a group of soldiers and some officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. 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 is it that you want?”

⁵“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said.

Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them. ⁶When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved back. Then they fell to the ground.

⁷He asked them again, “Who is it that you want?”

They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁸“I told you I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true. He had said, “I have not lost anyone God has given me.”

¹⁰Simon Peter had a sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shouldn’t I drink the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”

Jesus Is Taken to Annas

¹²Then the group of soldiers, their leader and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They tied him up ¹³and brought him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. ¹⁴Caiaphas had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter Says He Is Not Jesus’ Disciple

¹⁵Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. The high priest knew the other disciple. So that disciple went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. ¹⁶But Peter had to wait outside by the door.

The other disciple came back. He was the one the high priest knew. He spoke to the woman who was on duty there. Then he brought Peter in.

¹⁷The woman at the door spoke to Peter. “You are not one of Jesus’ disciples, are you?” she asked him.

“I am not,” he replied.

¹⁸It was cold. The servants and officials stood around a fire. They had made it to keep warm. Peter was also standing with them. He was warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus. He asked him about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I didn’t say anything in secret. ²¹Why question me? Ask the people who heard me. They certainly know what I said.”

²²When Jesus said that, one of the officials nearby hit him in the face. “Is this any way to answer the high priest?” he asked.

²³“Have I said something wrong?” Jesus replied. “If I have, give witness to it. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?”

²⁴While Jesus was still tied up, Annas sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.