When ‘Isa had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for ‘Isa often resorted there with his disciples. 3Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4‘Isa therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?“
5They answered him, “‘Isa the Nasrani.“[1]
‘Isa said to them, “I am he.“
Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When therefore he said to them, “I am he,“ they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?“
They said, “‘Isa the Nasrani.“
8‘Isa answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,“ 9that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.“
10Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11‘Isa therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?“
12So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews, seized ‘Isa and bound him, 13and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people. 15Simon Peter followed ‘Isa, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with ‘Isa into the court of the high priest; 16but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?“
He said, “I am not.“
18Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. 19The high priest therefore asked ‘Isa about his disciples, and about his teaching. 20‘Isa answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said.“
22When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped ‘Isa with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?“
23‘Isa answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?“
24Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. 25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You’re also one of his disciples, aren’t you?“
He denied it, and said, “I am not.“
26One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?“
27Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.
28They led ‘Isa therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?“
30They answered him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.“
31Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.“
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,“ 32that the word of ‘Isa might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called ‘Isa, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?“
34‘Isa answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?“
35Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?“
36‘Isa answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I not be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.“
37Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?“
‘Isa answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.“
38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?“
When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?“
40Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!“ Now Barabbas was a robber.
[1] 18:5 The Greek Injil says “Nazoraion,“ the meaning of which is connected with “Nazareth“ (see Matthew 2:23). Nazareth is an ancient city in the northern regions of Palestine.