1After Jesus said these things, he left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. There was a garden there, and he and his disciples went into it.
2Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3So Judas, leading a group of soldiers and some guards from the chief priests and Pharisees, came to the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, stepped forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"
5They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who was betraying him, was also standing with them.
6When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7Again he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8Jesus replied, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these others go."
9This happened so that the word Jesus had spoken would come true: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword back in its sheath! Should I not drink the cup of suffering that the Father has given me?"
12Then the Roman detachment, their commander, and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus and tied him up.
13They led him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.
14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be better for one man to die for the people.
15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That other disciple was known to the high priest and went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard.
16But Peter had to wait outside by the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went back out, spoke to the servant girl on duty there, and brought Peter in.
17The servant girl who was guarding the door asked Peter, "Aren't you also one of this man's followers?" He replied, "I am not."
18The servants and officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it warming themselves. Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.
19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching.
20Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews gather. I have said nothing in secret.
21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said."
22When Jesus said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped him, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
23Jesus answered him, "If I said something wrong, show me what it was. But if I spoke correctly, why do you hit me?"
24Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.
25Simon Peter was still standing there, warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't also one of his followers, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not."
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
27Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's palace. It was early morning. They themselves did not go inside the palace, so they would not become impure and unable to eat the Passover meal.
29So Pilate went outside to them and asked, "What accusation are you bringing against this man?"
30They answered him, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have brought him to you."
31Pilate told them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your own law." The Jews replied, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death."
32This happened so that what Jesus had said about the kind of death he would die would come true.
33So Pilate went back inside the palace, called Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
34Jesus replied, “Are you asking this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”
35Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the leading priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.”
37Pilate then said, “So, you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You are right in saying that I am a king. I was born for this reason, and I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who cares about the truth listens to my voice.”
38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no reason to charge this man with anything.”
39“But it is your custom that I release one person to you at Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?”
40Then they all shouted back again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Barabbas was a robber.