1   After these words, Jesus went out with his disciples, and crossed the Kedron ravine. There was a garden there, and he and his disciples went into it. 2   The place was known to Judas, his betrayer, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3   So Judas took a detachment of soldiers, and police provided by the chief priests and the Pharisees, equipped with lanterns, torches, and weapons, and made his way to the garden. 4   Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon him, went out to them and asked, ‘Who is it you want?’ 5   ‘Jesus of Nazareth’, they answered. Jesus said, ‘I am he.’ And there stood Judas the traitor with them. 6   When he said, ‘I am he’, they drew back and fell to the ground. 7   Again Jesus asked, ‘Who is it you want?’ 8   ‘Jesus of Nazareth’, they answered. Then Jesus said, ‘I have told you that I am he. If I am the man you want, let these others go.’ 9   (This was to make good his words, ‘I have not lost one of those whom thou gavest me.’) 10   Thereupon Simon Peter drew the sword he was wearing and struck at the High Priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. 11   (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus said to Peter, ‘Sheathe your sword. This is the cup the Father has given me; shall I not drink it?’

12   The troops with their commander, and the Jewish police, now arrested Jesus and secured him. 13   They took him first to Annas. ^note Annas was father-in-law of Caiaphas, the High Priest for that year ^note— 14   the same Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be to their interest if one man died for the whole people. 15   Jesus was followed by Simon Peter and another disciple. This disciple, who was acquainted with the High Priest, went with Jesus into the High Priest's courtyard, but Peter halted at the door outside. 16   So the other disciple, the High Priest's acquaintance, went out again and spoke to the woman at the door, and brought Peter in. 17   The maid on duty at the door said to Peter, ‘Are you another of this man's disciples?’ 18   ‘I am not’, he said. The servants and the police had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and were standing round it warming themselves. And Peter too was standing with them, sharing the warmth.

The final conflict

19   The High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about what he taught. 20   Jesus replied, ‘I have spoken openly to all the world; I have always taught in synagogue and in the temple, where all Jews congregate; I have said nothing in secret. 21   Why question me? 22   Ask my hearers what I told them; they know what I said.’ When he said this, one of the police who was standing next to him struck him on the face, exclaiming, ‘Is that the way to answer the High Priest?’ 23   Jesus replied, ‘If I spoke amiss, state it in evidence; if I spoke well, why strike me?’

24   So Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest. ^note

25   Meanwhile Simon Peter stood warming himself. The others asked, ‘Are you another of his disciples?’ But he denied it: ‘I am not’, he said. 26   One of the High Priest's servants, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, insisted, ‘Did I not see you with him in the garden?’ 27   Peter denied again; and just then a cock crew.

28   From Caiaphas Jesus was led into the Governor's headquarters. It was now early morning, and the Jews themselves stayed outside the headquarters to avoid defilement, so that they could eat the Passover meal. ^note 29   So Pilate went out to them and asked, ‘What charge do you bring against this man?’ 30   ‘If he were not a criminal,’ they replied, ‘we should not have brought him before you.’ 31   Pilate said, ‘Take him away and try him by your own law.’ The Jews answered, ‘We are not allowed to put any man to death.’ 32   Thus they ensured the fulfilment of the words by which Jesus had indicated the manner of his death.

33   Pilate then went back into his headquarters and summoned Jesus. 34   ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ he asked. ^noteJesus said, ‘Is that your own idea, or have others suggested it to you?’ 35   ‘What! am I a Jew?’ said Pilate. ‘Your own nation and their chief priests have brought you before me. 36   What have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my followers would be fighting to save me from arrest by the Jews. My kingly authority comes from elsewhere.’ 37   ‘You are a king, then?’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘“King” is your word. My task is to bear witness to the truth. For this was I born; for this I came into the world, and all who are not deaf to truth listen to my voice.’ 38   Pilate said, ‘What is

The final conflict truth?’, and with those words went out again to the Jews. ‘For my part,’ he said, ‘I find no case against him. 39   But you have a custom that I release one prisoner for you at Passover. Would you like me to release the king of the Jews?’ 40   Again the clamour rose: ‘Not him; we want Barabbas!’ (Barabbas was a bandit.)

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