John 18

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.

1Jesus finished speaking. Then he went out with his followers. They crossed a small stream called Cedron. A garden was there, and they went into it.

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

2Judas was the one who planned to hand Jesus over. He knew this place, because Jesus 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.

3Judas brought a group of soldiers and temple guards. The chief priests, the top leaders at the temple, and the Pharisees, a strict religious group, had sent them. They came with 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 toward them and asked, "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 said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am he." Judas, who handed 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 stepped back and fell to the ground.

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

7So Jesus 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 want 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 made his own words come true. He had said, "I have not lost 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.

10Simon Peter had a sword. He pulled it out and struck a servant of the high priest, the top priest at the temple. He cut off the servant's 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 handed me a cup to drink. Should I not drink it?"

Note"The cup" is a picture the Bible often uses for the hard things a person is given to go through.

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

12Then the soldiers, their leader, 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 of Caiaphas's wife. Caiaphas 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 this: it was 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. Another follower came along too. That follower was known to the high priest. So he went with Jesus into the yard of the high priest's house.

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 stayed outside at the door. The other follower, who was known to the high priest, went out. He spoke to the girl watching the door and brought Peter inside.

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 one of this man's followers too?" Peter 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. The servants and guards had made a fire and stood around it to get warm. Peter stood with them and warmed himself too.

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

19Then the high priest asked 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 synagogues, the places where Jews meet, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. 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 ask me? Ask the people who heard me speak. 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 there slapped him. He said, "Is that how you 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, "If I said something wrong, tell me what was wrong. But if I spoke rightly, why did you hit me?"

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

24Then Annas sent Jesus, 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 by the fire, keeping warm. They asked him, "Aren't you one of his followers too?" 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 cut off. He said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"

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 house. It was early morning. The Jewish leaders did not go inside. They wanted to stay clean so they could eat the Passover meal.

NoteThe KJV calls it "the hall of judgment." It was the Roman governor's house, where he heard cases and made decisions.

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

29So Pilate, the Roman governor, came outside to them. He asked, "What are you saying this man has done wrong?"

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 had done nothing wrong, we would not have brought him 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." They said, "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 made the words of Jesus come true. He had said what kind of death he was going to die.

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

33Pilate went back inside. He called Jesus to him and asked, "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 him, "Are you asking this on your own? Or did other people 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 said, "I am not a Jew. Your own people and the chief priests handed you 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 helpers would fight to keep me from being handed over. 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.

37Pilate said, "So you are a king!" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. I was born for this. I came into the world to tell people 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 asked him, "What is truth?" Then he went back out to the Jewish leaders. He told them, "I find nothing this man has done wrong.

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. Every Passover I set one prisoner free for you. Do you want me to 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 had joined a violent fight against the rulers.

NoteThe KJV word "robber" was used for men who took things by force and fought the rulers, not only for someone who steals.