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John 18 :: New International Version (NIV)

Jhn 18:1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
Jhn 18:2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
Jhn 18:3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jhn 18:4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
Jhn 18:5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
Jhn 18:6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jhn 18:7Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
Jhn 18:8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
Jhn 18:9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[fn]
Jhn 18:10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jhn 18:11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Jhn 18:12Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
Jhn 18:13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
Jhn 18:14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial

Jhn 18:15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,
Jhn 18:16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
Jhn 18:17“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
Jhn 18:18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

Jhn 18:19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
Jhn 18:20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
Jhn 18:21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
Jhn 18:22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
Jhn 18:23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
Jhn 18:24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

Jhn 18:25Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
Jhn 18:26One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”
Jhn 18:27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus Before Pilate

Jhn 18:28Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
Jhn 18:29So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
Jhn 18:30“If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
Jhn 18:31Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected.
Jhn 18:32This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
Jhn 18:33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jhn 18:34“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
Jhn 18:35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jhn 18:36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Jhn 18:37“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Jhn 18:38“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
Jhn 18:39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
Jhn 18:40They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
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