Jesus, knowing the things that were to happen, stepped forward and said to them, Who are you looking for? They answered, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus then said, I am. Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. As soon as Jesus said, I am, they were astonished and fell to the ground.
Then He asked them again, Who are you looking for? They said, Jesus of Nazareth. Then Jesus said to them, I have told you that I am. If you are looking for me, let the others go their way. He said this because of His earlier words: Of those you gave me, I have lost none.
Then Peter, having a sword, struck the high priest's servant and cut his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Jesus immediately said to Peter, Put away your sword. Will I not drink the cup my Father has given me? Then the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus, bound Him, and took Him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die for the sake of the people.
Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple who was known to the high priest and went inside the palace with Jesus. Peter stood outisde the door. The other disciple arranged with the woman who kept the door for Peter to go inside. Then she asked him, Are you also one of this man's disciples? He said, I am not. Peter stood by the fire along with the officers and servants who were warming themselves in the cold night.
The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples, and about His teachings. Jesus said to him, I have spoken openly in public. I taught in the synagogue, in the very temple the Jews always attend. There is nothing I have said in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have listened to me about what I have said to them? They know what I said. When He had thus spoken, one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand and said, Why do you answer the high priest that way? Jesus said to him, If I have spoken evil, tell me what it is. If not, why strike me? Then Annas had Him bound and sent to Caiaphas, the high priest.
As Simon Peter stood and warmed himself, they said to him, Are you not also one of His disciples? He denied it and said, I am not. Then one of the high priest's servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him? Peter denied again. Immediately the cock crowed.
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment. It was early and they themselves did not go into the judgment hall lest they be defiled and not be able to eat the passover. Pilate went outside to them and said, What accusation do you make against this man? They said to him, If He were not a criminal we would not have brought Him to you. Then Pilate said to them, Take Him and judge Him according to your law. The Jews said, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. This agreed with Jesus' words when He spoke of what death He would die.
Pilate went into the judgment hall again. He called Jesus and said to Him, Art Thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Do you ask this on your own or did others tell you to ask this? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have delivered you to me. What have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so I would not be turned over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.
Pilate therefore said to Him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this I was born and for this reason I came into the world: to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate muttered, What is truth? Then he went out again to the Jews and said, I find no fault in Him at all. But you have a custom that I release someone to you at the passover. Is it your request, therefore, that I release to you the King of the Jews? They all said, Not this man, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a robber.
19. Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged. The officers platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They put a purple robe on Him and said, Hail, King of the Jews! They slapped Him with their hands. Pilate came out again and said, I bring Him to you so you know that I find no fault in Him. Then Jesus was brought out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, Behold the man!