John - Chapter 18

Passage

When Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. Judas therefore, having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were to come upon him, went out and said to them: Whom are you looking for? They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them: I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them: Whom are you looking for? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered: I have told you that I am he. If therefore you are looking for me, let these go their way, So that the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of those whom you have given me, I have not lost any. 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 the servant was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter: Put your sword back into the scabbard. The chalice which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band of soldiers and the tribune and the servants of the Jews took Jesus and bound him. And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year. Now Caiphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die for the people. 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 courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood outside at the door. The other disciple therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. The servant girl therefore who was the doorkeeper said to Peter: Are you not also one of this man's disciples? He said: I am not. Now the servants and officers were standing at a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. And Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather: and in secret I have spoken nothing. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard what I have spoken to them. Behold, they know what I have said. And when he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus a blow, saying: Is that how you answer the high priest? Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why do you strike me? And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the high priest. And Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him: Are you not also one of his disciples? He denied it and said: I am not. One of the servants of the high priest (a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off) said to him: Did I not see you in the garden with him? Again therefore Peter denied it: and immediately the cock crowed. Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor's hall. And it was morning: and they did not go into the hall, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the pasch. Pilate therefore went out to them and said: What accusation do you bring against this man? They answered and said to him: If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you. Pilate therefore said to them: You take him and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. This was so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he said, signifying what death he would die. Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered: Do you say this of yourself, or have others told you about me? Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done? Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from here. Pilate therefore said to him: Are you a king then? Jesus answered: You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: to give testimony to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate said to him: What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: I find no cause in him. But you have a custom that I should release one to you at the pasch. Do you want me, therefore, to release to you the king of the Jews? Then they all cried out again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.