1When Jesus finished his prayer he and his disciples crossed the Kedron winter stream to a garden. 2Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus went there frequently with his disciples. 3Judas brought a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees there with lights and with weapons. 4Jesus knew what was about to happen to him. He asked: »Whom do you seek?« 5They answered him: »Jesus of Nazareth.« Jesus replied: »I am he.« Judas the betrayer was with them. 6When he said to them I am he they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked: »Whom do you seek?« And they said: »Jesus of Nazareth.« 8Jesus answered: »I told you that I am he. If you seek me let these go their way.« 9That way the word he spoke might be fulfilled; ‘I lost none of those you gave me.’ 10Simon Peter drew the sword he had, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter: »Put the sword in the sheath. Shall I drink the cup the Father has given me?« 12The soldiers, the military commanders, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him. 13They led him to Annas first for he was father in law to Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the man who gave counsel to the Jews that it was for their benefit that one man should die for the people. 15Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple. The high priest knew that disciple. He entered the court of the high priest with Jesus. 16Peter stood outside the door. The disciple known by the high priest went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door and he brought in Peter. 17The maid that kept the door asked Peter: »Are you also one of this man’s disciples?« He said: »I am not.« 18It was cold. So the servants and officers warmed themselves by the fire. Peter also stood by the fire to get warm. 19The high priest asked Jesus about his disciples and about the things he taught. 20Jesus answered him: »I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple where all the Jews gathered. I spoke nothing in secret. 21»Why do you ask me? Ask them that heard me what I spoke to them. They know the things I said.« 22When he said this one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus with his hand, saying: »You answer the high priest!« 23Jesus answered him: »If I spoke evil, bear witness of the evil. But if I spoke honestly, why do you strike me?« 24Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25Simon Peter stood nearby warming himself. They asked him: »Are you also one of his disciples?« He denied it saying: »I am not.« 26One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said: »Did I see you in the garden with him?« 27Peter denied it again. Then the cock crowed. 28They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29Pilate went to them and asked: »What accusation do you make against this man?« 30They answered: »If this man were not an evildoer we would not deliver him to you.« 31Pilate replied: »Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.« The Jews said: »It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.« 32Thus the word of Jesus would be fulfilled when he spoke about the kind of death he would experience. 33Pilate entered again into the Praetorium. He called Jesus and asked him: »Are you the King of the Jews?« 34Jesus answered: »You say this about me. Or did others tell you it concerning me?« 35Pilate answered: »Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me! What have you done?« 36Jesus answered: »My kingdom is not of this world! If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. My kingdom is not from this domain.« 37Pilate said: »Are you a king then?« Jesus answered: »As you say I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this purpose, that I should bear witness to the truth! Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.« 38Pilate then asked: »What is truth?« After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: »I find no fault in him. 39»You have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?« 40They cried out: »Not this man, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a robber.«