John 18

King James Version

Full text for John Chapter 18

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.

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

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

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

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

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

7Then asked he them again, ‹Whom seek ye?› And 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:›

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

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.

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?›

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.›

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

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

24Now Annas had sent him bound unto 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.

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?

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

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.

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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.›

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].

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?

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus is betrayed by Judas in the garden of Gethsemane and arrested, after demonstrating His divine authority by causing His captors to fall backward. He is then brought before Annas, where Peter denies Him three times. Subsequently, Jesus is led to Pilate, who questions Him about His kingship and finds no fault in Him, but the crowd demands the release of Barabbas instead.

Medium Summary

In the garden across the brook Cedron, Jesus, knowing His fate, confronts Judas and the arresting band, causing them to fall back with His declaration, "I am he." Peter attempts to defend Jesus, cutting off Malchus's ear, but Jesus rebukes him, accepting His Father's will. Jesus is first taken to Annas, where He asserts His public teaching, and Peter, following at a distance, denies knowing Jesus three times. Annas then sends Jesus to Caiaphas, and from there, He is brought before Pilate early in the morning. Pilate questions Jesus about His claim to be King of the Jews, to which Jesus explains His kingdom is not of this world, but for bearing witness to the truth. Pilate finds no fault in Jesus, but the Jewish leaders insist on His condemnation, ultimately choosing Barabbas over Jesus for release at Passover.

Long Summary

After speaking with His disciples, Jesus crosses the brook Cedron to a garden, a place Judas knew well. Judas arrives with a band of soldiers and officers, but Jesus, fully aware of what is to come, steps forward and asks whom they seek. When they reply "Jesus of Nazareth," and He declares "I am he," they fall backward to the ground, demonstrating His divine power even in His capture. Jesus reiterates His identity and requests His disciples be allowed to depart, fulfilling a prophecy. Simon Peter, attempting to defend Jesus, draws a sword and cuts off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant, but Jesus commands Peter to sheath his sword, accepting the "cup" His Father has given Him. Jesus is then bound and led first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter and another disciple follow; Peter waits outside while the other disciple enters and eventually brings Peter in. Inside, a doorkeeper questions Peter, and he denies being a disciple. Annas questions Jesus about His teachings and followers, but Jesus responds by stating He spoke openly and instructs Annas to ask those who heard Him. An officer strikes Jesus for His reply, which Jesus challenges. Annas sends Jesus bound to Caiaphas. Peter, warming himself by a fire, is again questioned and denies Jesus twice more, with the third denial immediately followed by the cock crowing. Early the next morning, Jesus is led from Caiaphas to the Roman judgment hall. The Jewish leaders refuse to enter, to avoid ceremonial defilement before the Passover. Pilate comes out and asks for their accusation, and they present Jesus as a malefactor. When Pilate suggests they judge Him by their law, they state their inability to inflict capital punishment, thus fulfilling Jesus' prophecy concerning His death. Pilate then questions Jesus privately, asking if He is the King of the Jews. Jesus clarifies that His kingdom is not of this world, and His purpose is to bear witness to the truth. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus, offers to release Him as per the Passover custom, but the crowd vehemently demands the release of Barabbas, a robber, instead.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Foreknowledge and AuthorityJesus demonstrates His full awareness of His impending arrest and His divine power by causing His captors to fall backward with a simple declaration, "I am he," even as He submits to their will.
  • Peter's DenialSimon Peter, despite his initial attempt to defend Jesus with a sword, thrice denies knowing Jesus while in the high priest's palace, fulfilling Jesus' earlier prophecy and highlighting human weakness.
  • The Cup of SufferingJesus accepts His arrest and impending suffering as the "cup which my Father hath given me," indicating His submission to God's divine plan and His willingness to endure it.
  • Jesus' Open TeachingJesus defends His ministry before Annas by stating He always taught openly in synagogues and the temple, never in secret, challenging His accusers to question those who heard Him.
  • The Nature of Jesus' KingdomBefore Pilate, Jesus clarifies that His kingdom "is not of this world," explaining that if it were, His servants would fight, and His purpose is to bear witness to the truth.
  • Pilate's Judgment and the Crowd's ChoicePilate, after questioning Jesus, declares he finds "no fault" in Him, yet succumbs to the pressure of the Jewish leaders and the crowd, who demand the release of Barabbas, a robber, over Jesus.
  • Fulfillment of ProphecyThe chapter highlights several instances of prophecy fulfillment, including Jesus' statement about losing none of His disciples, the manner of His death (requiring Roman authority), and Peter's denial.