Good News According to John

[ a translation from the Greek ]

Chapter 18


Having said these things, Jesus went out with his followers beyond the winter stream of Kidron into a garden, which he and his followers entered. Now, Judas who was delivering him up, also knew of the place, because Jesus often gathered together there with his followers.

Therefore, Judas having taken a band from the chief priests and officers from the Pharisees, came there with torches, lamps and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon him, also having gone forth said to them, "Whom do you seek?"

They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth."

He said to them, "I am."

Now, Judas was also standing with them, who was delivering him up. Therefore, when he said, "I am," they drew unto the back and fell to the ground. Then again he questioned them, "Whom do you seek?"

And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am. Now if it is me you seek, allow these to go away;" So that the word he said might be fulfilled, "Those who you have given me, I lost not one."

Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it and struck the bond slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Now the name of the bond slave was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword in the sheath. The cup which the father has given me, should I not drink it?"

Then the band, the chief captain and the officers of the Jews took hold of Jesus and bound him. And they first led him away to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. And it was Caiaphas who gave counsel to the Jews, that it is profitable for one man to die for the people.

Now, Simon Peter and another follower followed Jesus there. And because that follower was known to the high priest, he also entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other follower who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.

Therefore, the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, "Aren't you also one of the followers of this man?"

He said, "I am not."

Now a fire of coals having been made, the bond slaves and the officers were standing there, for it was cold and they were warming themselves. And Peter was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching.

Jesus answered him, "I have spoken freely to the people. Each time I taught in synagogue and in the temple precinct where all the Jews come together. And I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. Look, they know what I said."

Now having said these things, one of the officers standing by gave a blow with the palm of his hand to Jesus saying, "You answer thusly to the high priest?"

Jesus answered him, "If I spoke evil, bear witness about the evil. But if rightly, why do you strike me?"

Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now, Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Therefore, they said to him, "Aren't you also a follower of him?"

He denied and said, "I am not."

One of the bond slaves of the high priest said, being a relative of whom Peter cut off his ear, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"

Then again Peter denied and immediately a rooster crowed. Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium [official residence or headquarters of a Roman governor or military commander].

Now, it was early and they hadn't entered into the Praetorium, so that they might not be stained but might eat the passover.

So Pilate went out to meet them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"

They answered and said to him, "If he were not an evildoer, we wouldn't have delivered him to you."

Then Pilate said to them, "You take him and judge him according to your law."

The Jews said to him, "It isn't permitted for us to put anyone to death," that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which he had spoken, signifying what death he was about to die.

Therefore, Pilate again entered into the Praetorium and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

Jesus answered, "Did you say this of yourself or did others say it about me?"

Pilate answered, "I'm not a Jew. The chief priests of your nation delivered you to me. What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My kingdom isn't of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my agents would fight that I might not be delivered to the Jews. Moreover now, my kingdom is not from here."

Therefore, Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king."

Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I have been born and for this I have come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice."

Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"

And having said this, he went out to the Jews again and said to them, "I find no fault in him. But it is a custom of you, that I should release one to you at the Passover. Therefore, will you resolve that I should release to you the king of the Jews?"

Then they cried out again saying, "Not this one but Barabbas."

Now, Barabbas was openly a thief.



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