John 18 - Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)

Jesus Is Handed Over To The Authorities

18 Having said these things, Jesus went-out with His disciples to the other side of the ravine^[a] of Kidron where there was a garden, into which He entered, He and His disciples. ² Now Judas, the one handing Him over, also knew the place, because Jesus often was gathered there with His disciples. ³ So Judas— having received^[b] the [Roman] cohort^[c], and officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees— comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴ Then Jesus, knowing all the things coming upon Him, went forth. And He says to them, “Whom are you seeking?” ⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene”. He says to them, “I am He”. Now Judas, the one handing Him over, was also standing there with them. ⁶ So when He said to them, “I am He”, they^[d] went back, and fell on the ground. ⁷ Then He again asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” And the ones said, “Jesus the Nazarene”. ⁸ Jesus responded, “I told you that I am He. If then you are seeking Me, permit these ones to go”— ⁹ in order that the word which He spoke^[e] might be fulfilled, that “The ones whom You have given Me— I did not lose any of them”. ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and hit the slave of the high priest, and cut-off his right ear. And the name for the slave was Malchus. ¹¹ Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath. The cup which the Father has given Me— shall not I drink it?”

Jesus Stands Before Annas And Caiaphas

¹² Then the [Roman] cohort and its commander^[f], and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus, and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him to Annas first. For he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest of that year. ¹⁴ And Caiaphas was the one having counseled^[g] the Jews that it was better that one Man die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

¹⁵ Now Simon Peter and another disciple^[h] were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. ¹⁶ But Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, the one known by the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought in Peter. ¹⁷ Then the doorkeeper servant-girl says to Peter, “You are not also one of the disciples of this man, are you?” That one says, “I am not”. ¹⁸ And the slaves and the officers, having made a charcoal-fire because it was cold, were standing there and warming themselves. And Peter was also with them, standing there and warming himself.

Jesus Says To Annas, Question Those Who Heard Me. He Is Led Out to Caiaphas

¹⁹ So the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. ²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken in public to the world. I always taught at synagogue, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. And I spoke nothing in secret. ²¹ Why are you questioning Me? Question the ones having heard what I spoke to them. Look, these ones know the things which I said”. ²² And He having said these things, one of the officers standing near gave Jesus a slap^[i], having said, “In this manner do you answer the high priest?” ²³ Jesus answered him, “If I spoke wrongly, testify about the thing wrong. But if I spoke rightly, why do you beat Me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent Him forth, having been bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus a Second And Third Time

²⁵ And Simon Peter is standing there and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” That one denied it and said, “I am not”. ²⁶ One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one of whom Peter cut-off the ear, says, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” ²⁷ Then again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus Stands Before Pilate

²⁸ Then they lead Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium^[j]. And it was early-morning. And they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover [Feast]^[k].

The Jewish Rulers Tell Pilate They Want Jesus Executed

²⁹ So Pilate went outside to them. And he says, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” ³⁰ They responded and said to him, “If this One were not doing wrong^[l], we would not have handed Him over to you”. ³¹ So Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your Law”. The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful^[m] for us to execute anyone”— ³² in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke signifying^[n] by what kind of death He was going to die.

Jesus Says To Pilate, My Kingdom Is Not of This World

³³ So Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus. And he said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “Are you saying this from yourself, or did others tell you about Me?” ³⁵ Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your nation^[o] and the chief priests handed You over to me. What did You do?” ³⁶ Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting in order that I might not be handed-over to the Jews. But as-it-is^[p], My kingdom is not from here”. ³⁷ Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So-then You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You are saying^[q] that^[r] I am a king. I have been born for this. And I have come into the world for this: that I might testify to the truth. Everyone being of the truth hears^[s] My voice”. ³⁸ Pilate says to Him, “What is truth?”

Pilate Finds No Charge Against Jesus, But Has Him Whipped

And having said this, he again went out to the Jews. And he says to them, “I find no charge^[t] in^[u] Him. ³⁹ But it is a custom for you that I release one prisoner for you at the Passover [Feast]. So do you wish me to release the King of the Jews for you?” ⁴⁰ Then they shouted back^[v], saying, “Not this One, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber^[w].

Footnotes

1. John 18:1 Or, brook (the winter stream that flowed in the ravine).
2. John 18:3 Or, taken.
3. John 18:3 See Mt 27:27. The size of this detachment is not known.
4. John 18:6 Perhaps John means the priests began to step back to let the soldiers and officers take Jesus, and fell down.
5. John 18:9 That is, in 17:12.
6. John 18:12 Or, tribune, the Roman commander of a thousand men, equivalent to a major or colonel. Centurions (commanders of a hundred) reported to him.
7. John 18:14 See 11:50.
8. John 18:15 John may be referring to himself; or, to a non-apostle.
9. John 18:22 That is, with the hand. Or, a blow, using a rod or club.
10. John 18:28 That is, the Roman palace or fortress, Pilate’s residence while in Jerusalem.
11. John 18:28 Or, [meal]. That is, participate in the eight-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover (as in Lk 22:1); or, eat the Passover meal itself, implying they had not yet eaten it.
12. John 18:30 That is, a civil, criminal wrong.
13. John 18:31 That is, under Roman law.
14. John 18:32 See 12:33. ‘Lifted up’ points to a Roman crucifixion, not a Jewish stoning.
15. John 18:35 In other words, Pilate is repeating the Jews’ accusation that Jesus is rebelling against Rome. So Jesus affirms that His kingdom is not earthly or political.
16. John 18:36 Or, now, at-the-present-time.
17. John 18:37 That is, you are saying [correctly], as seen by what follows. See Mt 27:11.
18. John 18:37 Or, saying it, because.
19. John 18:37 That is, listens to and obeys.
20. John 18:38 Or, guilt, blame, ground of accusation (from the Roman law point of view. He sees the case as religious, not criminal).
21. John 18:38 That is, in His case; or, in-connection-with Him.
22. John 18:40 Or, again.
23. John 18:40 Or, insurrectionist.