John Chapter 18

The history of the passion of Christ.

18:1. When Jesus had said these things, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples.

18:2. And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: because Jesus had often resorted thither together with his disciples.

18:3. Judas therefore having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and said to them: Whom seek ye?

18:5. They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.

18:6. As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward and fell to the ground.

18:7. Again therefore he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth.

18:8. Jesus answered: I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,

18:9. That the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one.

18:10. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. And the name of thee servant was Malchus.

18:11. Jesus therefore said to Peter: Put up thy sword into the scabbard. The chalice which my father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

18:12. Then the band and the tribune and the servants of the Jews took Jesus and bound him.

18:13. And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year.

18:14. Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews: That it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

18:15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus: and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the high priest and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest.

18:16. But Peter stood at the door without. The other disciple therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the portress and brought in Peter.

18:17. The maid therefore that was portress saith to Peter: Art not thou also one of this man's disciple? He saith I am not.

18:18. Now the servants and ministers stood at a fire of coals, because it was cold, and warmed themselves. And with them was Peter also, standing and warming himself.

18:19. The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine.

18:20. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort: and in secret I have spoken nothing.

18:21. Why askest thou me? Ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them. Behold they know what things I have said.

18:22. And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high priest so?

18:23. Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me?

18:24. And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the high priest.

18:25. And Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it and said: I am not.

18:26. One of the servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him: Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

18:27. Again therefore Peter denied: and immediately the cock crew.

18:28. Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor's hall. And it was morning: and they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch.

18:29. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said: What accusation bring you against this man?

18:30. They answered and said to him: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee.

18:31. Pilate therefore said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.

18:32. That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he said, signifying what death he should die.

18:33. Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews?

18:34. Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?

18:35. Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?

18:36. Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.

18:37. Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

18:38. Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews and saith to them: I find no cause in him.

18:39. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Pasch. Will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews?

18:40. Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.