John 18:1-11

Contemporary English Version

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

(Matthew 26.47-56; Mark 14.43-50; Luke 22.47-53)

18 When Jesus had finished praying, he and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went into a garden.^{[a] 2} Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and Judas knew where the place was.

^3-5 Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked, “Who are you looking for?”

They answered, “We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!”

Jesus told them, “I am Jesus!”^{[b] 6} At once they all backed away and fell to the ground.

⁷ Jesus again asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth,” they answered.

⁸ This time Jesus replied, “I have already told you that I am Jesus. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. ⁹ Then everything will happen, just as I said, ‘I did not lose anyone you gave me.’ ”

¹⁰ Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He pulled it out and struck at Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. ^11 (A) Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away. I must drink from the cup^[c] that the Father has given me.”