THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it and smote the high riest’s servant and cut off his right ear The rvant’s name was Malchus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 Why askest thou me ask them which heard me what I have said unto them behold 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

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

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high 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

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

27 Peter then denied again and immediately the cock crew

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

29 Pilate then went out unto them and said What accusation bring ye 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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