After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his
disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a
garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who
betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his
disciples. 3 So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with
police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with
lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to
happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking
for?” 5 They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.”
Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to
them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he
asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of
Nazareth.” 8
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are
looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he
had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom 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. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath.
Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus before the High Priest
12 So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and
bound him. 13 First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of
Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had
advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
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Peter Denies Jesus
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple
was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of
the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other
disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the
woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17 The woman said to
Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?”
He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the police had made a
charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and
warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming
himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his
teaching. 20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have
always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come
together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those
who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had
said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face,
saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered,
“If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken
rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to
Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him,
“You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said,
“I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man
whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with
him?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Reader: These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is
the Messiah, the Son of God,
All: and that through believing, we may have life in his name.