1
After Jesus had said all these things, he went out from there with his disciples and crossed over the Kidron Brook. There was a garden there, and he entered the garden with his disciples.

2
Judas, who betrayed Jesus, also knew the place, because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.

3
So Judas came there too, bringing a detachment of soldiers and officers from the temple guard sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4
Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to him, stepped forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5
They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing there with them.

6
When he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7
So he asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If it is me you are seeking, let these others go.”

9
This was so that the word he had spoken might be fulfilled: “Of those whom you have given me, I have not lost one.”

10
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

12
So the soldiers, their commander, and the officers sent by the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.

13
They brought him first to Annas, for Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year;

14
and Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews, “It is better that one man should die for the people.”

15
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple was known to the High Priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest’s house,

16
but Peter remained outside near the gate. Then the other disciple, who was known to the High Priest, went back out, spoke with the servant girl at the gate, and brought Peter in.

17
So the servant girl at the gate said to Peter, “Are you not also one of that man’s disciples?” He answered, “No!”

18
Now the servants and the temple guards had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing there warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

19
Then the high priest began questioning Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.

20
Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews gather; I have said nothing in secret.

21
Why do you question Me? Ask those who have heard what I said to them; surely they know what I said.”

22
When He had said this, one of the officers standing there struck Jesus on the face and said, “Is that how You answer the high priest?”

23
Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, show what is wrong; but if I spoke rightly, why do you strike Me?”

24
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.

25
Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they said to him, “Are you not also one of His disciples?”

26
He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

27
Peter denied it again, and at once a rooster crowed.

28
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

29
So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30
They answered him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have handed Him over to you!”

31
Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

32
This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken, showing by what kind of death He was to die.

33
Then Pilate went back into the governor’s headquarters, called Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34
Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others tell you about Me?”

35
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed You over to me; what have You done?”

36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have fought, so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from here.”

37
Then Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth; everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

38
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

(18-38b) After saying this, Pilate went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no fault in Him.

39
But you have a custom, that at Passover I release one for you. Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?”

40
Then they cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

📖 John 18 – Jesus Is Arrested and Peter Denies Him

🧾 Summary of John 18

This chapter describes the critical moments in Jesus’ suffering, beginning with the arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, the trial before the high priest, then Peter’s denial and the meeting with Pontius Pilate.

1. Jesus Is Arrested in the Garden (verses 1–11)

After praying (John 17), Jesus and His disciples went to a garden across the Kidron brook.
Judas Iscariot came with soldiers and officers, with lanterns and weapons.
When they were looking for Jesus, He said, “I am He,” and they drew back and fell to the ground – showing His power.
Jesus gave Himself up and protected His disciples.
Peter cut off Malchus’ ear, the servant of the High Priest, but Jesus rebuked him.

“Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?” (verse 11)

2. Jesus Brought Before the High Priest (verses 12–27)

Jesus was brought first to Annas, the father-in-law of the High Priest Caiaphas.
Meanwhile, Peter followed from afar.
Jesus was questioned about His teaching and His disciples. He affirmed that He preached in public, not in secret.
A guard struck Jesus, but Jesus remained calm.
Peter denied Jesus three times, as had been foretold.

3. Jesus Before Pilate (verses 28–40)

Jesus was brought from Caiaphas’ house to the Roman governor’s headquarters at daybreak.
The Jewish leaders did not go into the headquarters so that they might remain “clean” for the Passover meal.
Pilate asked Jesus:

“Are you the King of the Jews?” (verse 33)

Jesus answered:

“My kingdom is not of this world…” (verse 36)

Pilate found no fault in Jesus, but because of the custom of releasing one prisoner at Passover, Pilate offered a choice:
- Jesus, or
- Barabbas (a rebel and criminal).
The people chose Barabbas.

📘 Main Teachings of John 18

Jesus gave Himself willingly, showing complete control over the situation.
Jesus’ divine power is evident, even in His arrest.
Peter as a mirror of human weakness, who often fails even when his intentions are good.
Jesus shows integrity and courage, answering honestly and not defending Himself in a worldly way.
The world chooses Barabbas rather than Jesus, a tragic picture of humanity’s choice against the truth.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of John 18

Jesus remained calm and obedient to the Father’s will even though He was betrayed, rejected, and mistreated.
Peter reflects all of us who are sometimes afraid to confess our faith, yet are still loved and restored by Jesus.
The world often rejects truth and chooses compromise or lies, but Jesus remains the true King.
Jesus’ surrender is clear proof that He is not a victim, but the Redeemer who carried out God’s plan of salvation.