Jesus Prays for Himself

17 When Jesus had said these things, He looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come! Honor Your Son so Your Son may honor You. ² You have given Him power over all men. He is to give life that lasts forever to all You have given to Him. ³ This is life that lasts forever. It is to know You, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. ⁴ I honored You on earth. I did the work You gave Me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, honor Me with the honor I had with You before the world was made.

Jesus Prays for His Followers

⁶ “I have made Your name known to the people You have given Me from the world. They were Yours but You gave them to Me. They have obeyed Your Word. ⁷ Now they know that everything You have given Me came from You. ⁸ I gave them the Word which You gave Me. They received it. They know I came from You and they believe You sent Me.

⁹ “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray for those You gave Me. They are Yours. ¹⁰ All that is Mine is Yours. All that is Yours is Mine. I have been honored through them. ¹¹ I am no longer in the world. I am coming to You. But these are still in the world. Holy Father, keep those You have given to Me in the power of Your name. Then they will be one, even as We are One. ¹² While I have been with them in the world, I have kept them in the power of Your name. I have kept watch over those You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost except the one who is going to be destroyed, which is the son of death. The Holy Writings said it would happen. ^{(A) 13} But now I come to You, Father. I say these things while I am in the world. In this way, My followers may have My joy in their hearts.

¹⁴ “I have given Your Word to My followers. The world hated them because they do not belong to the world, even as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask You to take them out of the world. I ask You to keep them from the devil. ¹⁶ My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁷ Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.

¹⁸ “As You sent Me into the world so I have sent them into the world also. ¹⁹ I set Myself apart to be holy for them. Then they may be made holy by the truth.

Jesus Prays for All Christians

²⁰ “I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard. ²¹ May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me. ²² I gave them the honor You gave Me that they may be one as We are One. ²³ I am in them and You are in Me so they may be one and be made perfect. Then the world may know that You sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.

²⁴ “Father, I want My followers You gave Me to be with Me where I am. Then they may see My shining-greatness which You gave Me because You loved Me before the world was made. ²⁵ Holy Father, the world has not known You. I have known You. These have known You sent Me. ²⁶ I have made Your name known to them and will make it known. So then the love You have for Me may be in them and I may be in them.”

Jesus Handed Over to Sinners ^(B)

18 When Jesus had said these things, He went with His followers across the small river Kidron. He and His followers went to a garden there. ² Judas, who was handing Him over to the leaders, knew the place also. Jesus and His followers had met there many times. ³ Judas led some soldiers and some men who had been sent by the head religious leaders of the Jews and the proud religious law-keepers to the garden. They carried lamps and sticks that were burning and swords.

⁴ Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him. He went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?” ⁵ The soldiers answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I am Jesus.” Judas, who was handing Him over, was with them also.

⁶ When He said to them, “I am Jesus,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. ⁷ He asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said again, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸ He said, “I have told you that I am Jesus. If you are looking for Me, let these men go their way.” ⁹ He said this so the words He spoke might happen, “I have not lost one of those You gave Me.”

¹⁰ Simon Peter had a sword. He took it and hit a servant who was owned by the head religious leader and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. ¹¹ Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back where it belongs. Am I not to go through what My Father has given Me to go through?”

Jesus Stands in Front of Annas

¹² Then the soldiers and their captain and the men sent by the Jewish religious leaders took Jesus and tied Him. ¹³ They took Him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the head religious leader that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas had talked to the Jews. He told them it would be a good thing if one man should die for the people.

Peter Lies about Jesus ^(C)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another follower came behind Jesus. This other follower was known to the head religious leader. He went with Jesus to the head religious leader’s house. ¹⁶ Peter stood outside at the gate. The other follower, who was known by the head religious leader, went out and talked to the servant-girl who watched the gate. Then he took Peter inside. ¹⁷ The servant-girl who watched the door said to Peter, “Are you not a follower of this Man?” He said, “I am not!” ¹⁸ The servants who were owned by someone and the soldiers had made a fire because it was cold. They were getting warm by the fire. Peter was standing with them getting warm.

Jesus Stands in Front of Caiaphas ^(D)

¹⁹ The head religious leader of the Jews asked Jesus about His followers. He asked Jesus about His teaching. ²⁰ Jesus said, “I have spoken very plain words to the world. I have always taught in the Jewish place of worship and in the house of God. It is where the Jews go all the time. My words have not been said in secret. ²¹ Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard what I said to them. They know what I said.”

²² Then one of the soldiers standing there hit Jesus with his hand. He said, “Is that how You talk to the head religious leaders?” ²³ Jesus said, “If I said anything wrong, tell Me what was wrong. If I said what was right, why did you hit Me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas, the head religious leader. Jesus was still tied up.

²⁵ Simon Peter was standing there and getting warm. They said to him, “Are you not one of His followers also?” He lied and said he did not know Jesus and answered, “I am not!” ²⁶ A servant who was owned by the head religious leader was there. He was of the family of the man whose ear Peter cut off. The man said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” ²⁷ Again Peter lied and said he did not know Jesus. At once a rooster crowed.

Jesus Stands in Front of Pilate ^(E)

²⁸ They led Jesus from Caiaphas into the court room. It was early in the morning. They did not go inside because their Law said if they did they would become dirty with sin. Then they would not be able to eat the religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt. ²⁹ So Pilate came out to them. He asked, “What have you to say against the Man?” ³⁰ The Jews said, “If He had not done wrong, we would not have brought Him to you.”

³¹ Then Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and give Him a trial by your Law.” The Jews said to him, “It is against our Law to put anyone to death.” ³² This happened as Jesus said it would happen. He had told what kind of death He would die.

³³ Then Pilate went back into the court room. He called for Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus said, “Do you ask Me this yourself, or did others say this to you about Me?” ³⁵ Pilate said, “Do you think I am a Jew? Your own people and religious leaders have handed You over to me. What have You done?” ³⁶ Jesus said, “My holy nation does not belong to this world. If My holy nation were of this world, My helpers would fight so I would not be handed over to the Jews. My holy nation is not of this world.” ³⁷ Pilate said to Him, “So You are a King?” Jesus said, “You are right when you say that I am a King. I was born for this reason. I came into the world for this reason. I came to speak about the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free ^(F)

³⁸ Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?” After Pilate said this, he went out again to the Jews. He said, “I do not find Him guilty. ³⁹ But every year a man who is in prison is allowed to go free at the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. Do you want the King of the Jews to go free?” ⁴⁰ Then they spoke with loud voices, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

The Crown of Thorns ^(G)

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him beaten. ² The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head. They put a purple coat on Him. ³ Then they said, “Hello, King of the Jews!” and hit Him with their hands.

⁴ Pilate went out again and said to the people, “See, I bring Him out to you so you will know I do not find Him guilty.” ⁵ Jesus came out. He had on the crown of thorns and a purple coat. Pilate said to the people, “See! This is the Man!”

Pilate Tries to Let Jesus Go Free

⁶ The religious leaders and the soldiers saw Him. They spoke with loud voices, “Nail Him to a cross! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said, “Take Him yourselves and nail Him to a cross. As for me, I do not find Him guilty.” ⁷ The Jews said to Pilate, “We have a Law that says He should die because He has said He is the Son of God.”

⁸ When Pilate heard them say this, he was more afraid. ⁹ He went into the court room again. He said to Jesus, “Where do You come from?” Jesus did not say a word. ¹⁰ Pilate said, “Will You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have the right and the power to nail You to a cross? I have the right and the power to let You go free also.” ¹¹ Jesus said, “You would not have any right or power over Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the worse sin.”

¹² When Pilate heard this, he wanted to let Jesus go free. But the Jews kept saying, “If you let this Man go free, you are not a friend of Caesar! Whoever makes himself as a king is working against Caesar.” ¹³ When Pilate heard this, he had Jesus brought in front of him. Pilate sat down at the place where men stand in front of him if they are thought to be guilty. The place is called the Stone Floor.

¹⁴ It was the day to get ready for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. It was about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “See, your King!” ¹⁵ They spoke with a loud voice, “Take Him away! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said to them, “Do you want me to nail your King to a cross?” The head religious leaders said, “We have no king but Caesar!” ¹⁶ Then Pilate handed Him over to be nailed to a cross. They took Jesus and led Him away.

Jesus on the Cross ^(H)

¹⁷ Jesus carried His own cross to a hill called the Place of the Skull. ¹⁸ There they nailed Him to the cross. With Him were two others. There was one on each side of Jesus. ¹⁹ Then Pilate put a writing on the cross which said, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ This was read by many of the Jews. The place where Jesus was nailed to the cross was near the city. The writing was written in the Hebrew and the Latin and the Greek languages. ²¹ Then the head religious leaders of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’! Write, ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate said, “What I have written is to stay just as it is!”

They Divided His Clothes ^(I)

²³ The soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross took His clothes and divided them in four parts, each soldier getting one part. But His coat which was not sewed was made in one piece. ²⁴ They said to each other, “Let us not cut it up. Let us draw names to see whose it should be.” This happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen, “They divided My clothes among them and they drew names for My coat.” ^{(J) 25} This is what the soldiers did.

The Women at the Cross ^(K)

The mother of Jesus and her sister Mary, the wife of Cleophas, were standing near the cross. Mary Magdalene was there also. ²⁶ Jesus saw His mother and the follower whom He loved standing near. He said to His mother, “Woman, look at your son.” ²⁷ Then Jesus said to the follower, “Look at your mother.” From that time the follower took her to his own house.

The Death of Jesus ^(L)

²⁸ Jesus knew that everything was now finished. Everything happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen. He said, “I am thirsty.” ^{(M) 29} There was a jar full of sour wine near. They filled a sponge and put it on a stick and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ Jesus took the sour wine and said, “It is finished.” He put His head down and gave up His spirit and died.

His Bones Were Not Broken

³¹ This was the day before the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. The next day was the Day of Rest and the great day of the religious gathering. The Jews went to Pilate and asked to have the legs of the men broken. They wanted their bodies taken away so they would not be hanging on the crosses on the Day of Rest. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been nailed to crosses beside Jesus. ³³ They came to Jesus. They saw He was already dead so they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pushed a spear into His side. Blood and water ran out.

³⁵ The one who saw it is writing this and what he says is true. He knows he is telling the truth so you may believe. ³⁶ These things happened as the Holy Writings said they would happen, “Not one of His bones will be broken.” ^{(N) 37} And in another place the Holy Writings say, “They will look at Him Whose side they cut.” ^(O)

The Grave of Jesus ^(P)

³⁸ Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus but was afraid of the Jews. So he worshiped without anyone knowing it. He asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Pilate said he could. Then Joseph came and took it away. ³⁹ Nicodemus came also. The first time he had come to Jesus had been at night. He brought with him a large box of spices. ⁴⁰ Then they took the body of Jesus with the spices and put it in linen cloths. This was the way the Jews made a body ready for the grave.

⁴¹ There was a garden near the place where He had been nailed to the cross. In the garden there was a new grave in the side of the hill. No one had ever been laid there. ⁴² This place was near by. Because it was the day the Jews got ready for the special religious gathering, they laid Jesus in it.

Jesus Is Raised from the Grave ^(Q)

20 It was the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene came to the grave early in the morning while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been pushed away from the grave. ² She ran to Simon Peter and the other follower whom Jesus loved. She said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the grave. We do not know where they have put Him.”

³ Then Peter and the other follower went to the grave. ⁴ They ran but the other follower ran faster than Peter and came to the grave first. ⁵ He got down and looked in and saw the linen cloths but did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came and went into the grave. He saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The white cloth that had been around the head of Jesus was not lying with the other linen cloths. It was rolled up and lying apart by itself. ⁸ Then the other follower, who had come first, went in also. He saw and believed. ⁹ They still did not understand what the Holy Writings meant when they said that He must rise again from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the followers went back again to their homes.

¹¹ Mary stood outside the grave crying. As she cried, she got down and looked inside the grave. ¹² She saw two angels dressed in white clothes. They were sitting where the body of Jesus had lain. One angel was where His head had lain and one angel was where His feet had lain. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord. I do not know where they have put Him.”

¹⁴ After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the man who cared for the garden. She said to Him, “Sir, if you have taken Jesus from here, tell me where you have put Him. I will take Him away.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned around and said to Him, “Teacher!” ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to Me. I have not yet gone up to My Father. But go to My brothers. Tell them that I will go up to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God!” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and told the followers that she had seen the Lord. She told them the things He had said to her.

Jesus Was Seen by His Followers—Thomas Was Not There

¹⁹ It was evening of the first day of the week. The followers had gathered together with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “May you have peace.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were filled with joy.

Jesus Sends His Followers to Preach ^(R)

²¹ Then Jesus said to them again, “May you have peace. As the Father has sent Me, I also am sending you.” ²² When Jesus had said this, He breathed on them. He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you say that people are free of sins, they are free of them. If you say that people are not free of sins, they still have them.”

Thomas Does Not Believe Jesus Is Raised from the Dead ^(S)

²⁴ Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. He was one of the twelve followers and was called the Twin. ²⁵ The other followers told him, “We have seen the Lord!” He said to them, “I will not believe until I see the marks made by the nails in His hands. I will not believe until I put my finger into the marks of the nails. I will not believe until I put my hand into His side.”

Jesus Was Seen Again by His Followers—Thomas Was There

²⁶ Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “May you have peace!” ²⁷ He said to Thomas, “Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not doubt, believe!” ²⁸ Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believe. Those are happy who have never seen Me and yet believe!” ³⁰ Jesus did many other powerful works in front of His followers. They are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. When you put your trust in Him, you will have life that lasts forever through His name.

The Risen Christ Talks to His Followers

21 After this, Jesus again showed Himself to His followers at the lake of Tiberias. It happened like this: ² Simon Peter and Thomas who was called the Twin and Nathanael from the town of Cana in the country of Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other followers were all together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” The others said, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into a boat. That night they caught no fish.

⁴ Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore of the lake. The followers did not know it was Jesus. ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They said, “No.” ⁶ He said to them, “Put your net over the right side of the boat. Then you will catch some fish.” They put out the net. They were not able to pull it in because it was so full of fish.

⁷ Then the follower whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard it was the Lord, he put on his fisherman’s coat. (He had taken it off.) Then he jumped into the water. ⁸ The other followers came in the boat. They were pulling the net with the fish. They were not far from land, only a little way out.

⁹ When they came to land they saw fish and bread on a fire. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ Simon Peter went out and pulled the net to land. There were 153 big fish. The net was not broken even with so many.

¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” Not one of the followers would ask, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took bread and fish and gave it to them. ¹⁴ This was the third time Jesus had shown Himself to His followers after He had risen from the dead.

The Risen Christ Talks to Peter

¹⁵ When they were finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” Peter answered Jesus, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to Peter the second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He answered Jesus, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of My sheep.”

¹⁷ Jesus said to Peter the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He answered Jesus, “Lord, You know everything. You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. ¹⁸ For sure, I tell you, when you were young, you put on your belt and went wherever you wanted to go. When you get old, you will put out your hands and someone else will put on your belt and take you away where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ He said this to tell Peter what kind of death he would die to honor God. After Jesus said this, He said to Peter, “Follow Me.”

²⁰ Peter turned around. He saw the follower whom Jesus loved, following. This one had been beside Jesus at the supper. This is the one who had asked Jesus, “Lord, who will hand You over?” ²¹ Peter saw him and said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this one?” ²² Jesus said, “If I want this one to wait until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” ²³ So the news spread among the followers that this follower would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die. He said, “If I want him to wait until I come, what is that to you?”

John Tells That He Wrote This Book

²⁴ This is the follower who is telling of these things and who has written them. We know that his word is true. ²⁵ There are many other things which Jesus did also. If they were all written down, I do not think the world itself could hold the books that would be written.