John

Focuses on the divinity of Jesus, presenting Him as the Word made flesh and emphasizing His miraculous signs.

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.

*After Jesus said these words, he left with his followers across the Cedron stream to a garden. They all went inside the garden together.

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

*Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, knew the location because Jesus frequently went there with his followers.

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.

*Judas, getting a group of men and officials from the main priests and Pharisees, comes there with flashlights, torches, and weapons.

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

*Jesus, knowing everything happening to him, left and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"

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

*They replied, "It's Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus told them, "I am the one." Judas, the one who betrayed Him, was with them too.

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

*As soon as he said, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground.

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

*Then he asked them once more, "Who are you looking for?" And they replied, "Jesus from Nazareth."

8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

*Jesus said, "I've told you I am the one you're looking for. If you want me, then let these people go away."

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

*So that the saying would come true, which he said, from those you gave me, I have not lost any.

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.

*Then Peter used his sword to hit the high priest's helper, named Malchus, and cut off his right ear.

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?

*Then Jesus told Peter, Put your sword away and put it back in its holder. I must drink the cup that my Father has given me.

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

*Then, the music group and leader and Jewish officials grabbed Jesus, and tied him up.

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

*They took Jesus to Annas first. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.

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

*Caiaphas advised the Jews that it was a good idea for one person to die so the people would be okay.

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.

*Peter and another follower went with Jesus. The other follower was known by the high priest and entered the high priest's palace with Jesus.

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.

*But Peter waited outside. Then, another disciple, who was friends with the high priest, talked to the woman guarding the door and let Peter inside.

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.

*Then the girl who guarded the door asks Peter, "Aren't you one of this man's followers?" Peter replies, "No, I'm not."

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.

*The servants and officials were by the fire made from hot embers because it was cold. They warmed up next to it. Peter also stood there and warmed up too.

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

*The main priest questioned Jesus about his followers and what he taught them.

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.

*Jesus replied, "I spoke openly to everyone. I always taught in the synagogue and the temple, where Jews often go. I never said anything secretly."

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

*Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me what I told them, because they know what I said.

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?

*Then, after he finished speaking, one of the officers present hit Jesus in the face and asked, "Are you answering the high priest like that?"

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

*Jesus replied, "If I spoke badly, prove it; but if I spoke well, why are you attacking me?"

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

*Now, Annas had sent him tied to Caiaphas, who was the main priest.

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.

*Peter stood and warmed himself. They asked if he was a disciple too. He said no.

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?

*A relative of the high priest, who had his ear cut by Peter, asks, "Weren't you with him in the garden?"

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

*Peter denied again, and right away, the rooster crowed.

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.

*Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the courtroom before dawn. They didn't go inside, afraid of being contaminated, but wanted to eat the special meal called Passover.

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

*Pilate stepped outside and asked them, "What charges do you have against this man?"

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

*They replied, "If he wasn't doing something bad, we wouldn't have given him to you."

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:

*Then Pilate told them, "You decide what to do with him based on your rules." But the Jews replied, "We can't execute anyone; it's not allowed for us."

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

*To make Jesus' words come true, he said what kind of death he would face.

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

*Then Pilate went back inside the courtroom and asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

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

*Jesus asked him, "Did you come up with this on your own, or did someone else tell you about me?"

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

*Pilate asked, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and the leaders gave you to me. What did you do?"

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.

*Jesus said, "My kingdom isn't part of this world. If it was, my followers would fight to protect me from the Jews. But my kingdom comes from somewhere else entirely."

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.

*Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king. Jesus replied that Pilate said so. His purpose in life was to testify about the truth. Anyone who wants to be honest listens to His message.

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.

*Pilate asks, "What is truth?" After saying this, he goes back to the Jews and says, "I find no fault in him at all."

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?

*But you have a tradition for me to free someone during Passover. So do you want me to free the "King of the Jews" for you?

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

*Then everyone shouted again, "Not him, but Barabbas!" Barabbas was a thief.

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