John

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

1When Jesus finished saying these things, he went out with his followers across the Kidron valley. There was a garden there, and he and his followers went into it.

NoteThe KJV "brook Cedron" is the Kidron, a valley just outside Jerusalem with a stream that ran in the rainy season.

2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

2Judas, the man who would hand Jesus over to his enemies, knew this place. Jesus had often met there with his followers.

3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

3So Judas brought a group of soldiers and guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They came carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

4Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to him. He stepped forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"

5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

5They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am he." Judas, who was handing him over, was standing there with them.

6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

6As soon as Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

7So he asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

8Jesus answered, "I already told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go."

9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

9This happened so that his own words would come true: "I have not lost even one of the people you gave me."

10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

10Then Simon Peter pulled out a sword. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

11Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword away. My Father has given me this cup of suffering. Should I not drink it?"

Note"The cup" is a common way of speaking about what a person is given to go through, especially suffering.

12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

12Then the soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards took hold of Jesus and tied him up.

13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

13They led him first to Annas. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.

14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

14Caiaphas was the one who had told the Jewish leaders it would be better for one man to die for the people.

15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another follower. That other man was known to the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard.

16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

16But Peter waited outside at the door. Then the other follower, the one the high priest knew, spoke to the woman watching the door and brought Peter in.

17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

17The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "Aren't you also one of this man's followers?" He said, "I am not."

18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

18It was cold, so the servants and guards had made a charcoal fire and stood around it to get warm. Peter stood with them, warming himself.

19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and about what he taught.

20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

20Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to everyone. I always taught in the meeting places and at the temple, where all the Jews gather. I said nothing in secret.

21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

21Why are you asking me? Ask the people who heard me. They know what I said."

22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

22When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing nearby slapped him in the face. He said, "Is that any way to answer the high priest?"

23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

23Jesus answered him, "If I said something wrong, say what it was. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?"

24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

24Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.

25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

25Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. The others asked him, "Aren't you also one of his followers?" He said no. "I am not," he said.

26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

26One of the high priest's servants was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. He said, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"

27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

27Peter said no again. Right then a rooster crowed.

28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They would not go inside, because that would make them unclean and unable to eat the Passover meal.

NoteThe KJV "hall of judgment" is the Praetorium, the Roman governor's headquarters in Jerusalem. "Defiled" means unfit to join a religious meal, not dirty.

29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

29So Pilate came outside to them and asked, "What charge are you bringing against this man?"

30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

30They answered, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you."

31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jewish leaders answered, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death."

32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

32This happened so that what Jesus had said would come true, when he showed what kind of death he would die.

33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

33So Pilate went back inside his headquarters. He called for Jesus and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

34Jesus answered, "Are you asking this on your own, or did others tell you about me?"

35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

35Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"

36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

36Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not come from this world. If it did, my servants would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not from here."

37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

37So Pilate said, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. I was born for this, and I came into the world for this: to tell the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

38Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" Then he went back out to the Jewish leaders and said, "I find nothing at all to charge him with.

39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

39But you have a custom that I set one prisoner free for you at Passover. So do you want me to set free the King of the Jews?"

40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

40They all shouted back, "Not this man! Give us Barabbas!" Barabbas was a man who had taken part in a violent revolt.

NoteThe KJV calls Barabbas a "robber," but the word meant a violent rebel or bandit, not a simple thief.