Chapter 18

Jesus Arrested.^{[a] 1} When he had said this, Jesus went out^[b] with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.^{(A) 2} Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. ³ So Judas got a band of soldiers^[c] and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.^{(B) 4} Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” ⁵ They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.”^[d] He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. ⁶ When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. ⁷ So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” ^9 [e](C)This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.^{[f] 11} Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup^[g] that the Father gave me?”^(D)

^12 (E)So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, ¹³ and brought him to Annas^[h] first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.^{(F) 14} It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.^(G)

Peter’s First Denial.^{(H) 15} Simon Peter and another disciple^[i] followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. ¹⁶ But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” ¹⁸ Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.

The Inquiry Before Annas.^{(I) 19} The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. ²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area^[j] where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing.^{(J) 21} Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.” ²² When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”^(K)