John 18
40 verses
The arrest in the garden begins with Judas bringing a cohort of soldiers and officials from the chief priests and Pharisees, yet when Jesus responds to their inquiry about Jesus of Nazareth with the simple ego eimi ("I am"), the soldiers step back and fall to the ground—a stunning moment where the divine name causes the executioners to stumble. Peter draws a sword and strikes the slave of the high priest, cutting off his right ear, yet Jesus commands: "Put your sword back into its sheath," and asks "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"—establishing the voluntary character of his passion and submission to divine will. The Jewish trial before Annas and then Caiaphas unfolds with Peter's triple denial as the cock crows, contrasting Peter's fearful self-preservation with Jesus' courageous confession before the authorities. The Roman trial with Pilate begins: Pilate asks the fundamental question "What is truth?" (ti estin aletheia?)—a question that remains unanswered, suggesting the impossibility of Pilate's epistemological framework grasping the truth standing before him. Pilate finds no basis for a charge against Jesus, yet the crowd demands that Barabbas, a brigand, be released instead, while Jesus is handed over to be crucified. The trial scenes reveal the irony of Jewish and Roman justice condemning the innocent while releasing the guilty, and establish Jesus' kingship as the central scandal: Pilate's question "Are you a king?" meets Jesus' enigmatic reply about a kingdom not of this world.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
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.
0 0Open verse page →
2
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
0 0Open verse page →
3
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
0 1Open verse page →
4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
0 0Open verse page →
5
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
0 0Open verse page →
6
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
0 0Open verse page →
7
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
0 1Open verse page →
8
Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
0 0Open verse page →
9
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
0 0Open verse page →
10
Then 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.
0 0Open verse page →
11
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
0 0Open verse page →
12
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
0 0Open verse page →
13
And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
0 1Open verse page →
God is faithful in every circumstance.. His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfec...
14
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
1 0Open verse page →
15
And 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.
0 0Open verse page →
16
But 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.
0 0Open verse page →
17
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
0 0Open verse page →
18
And 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.
0 0Open verse page →
19
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
0 0Open verse page →
20
Jesus 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.
0 0Open verse page →
21
Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
0 1Open verse page →
22
And 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?
0 0Open verse page →
23
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
0 0Open verse page →
24
Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
0 0Open verse page →
25
And 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.
0 1Open verse page →
26
One 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?
0 0Open verse page →
27
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
0 0Open verse page →
28
Then 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.
0 0Open verse page →
29
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
0 0Open verse page →
30
They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
0 0Open verse page →
31
Then 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:
0 0Open verse page →
32
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
0 0Open verse page →
33
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
0 0Open verse page →
34
Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
0 0Open verse page →
35
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
0 0Open verse page →
36
Jesus 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.
0 0Open verse page →
37
Pilate 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.
0 0Open verse page →
38
Pilate 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.
0 0Open verse page →
39
But 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?
0 0Open verse page →
40
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
0 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No notes on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!