John 18

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.

After sharing his wisdom, Jesus led his disciples across the Cedron stream, towards a garden. They all entered it together, feeling a sense of unity and purpose.

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

Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, was familiar with their meeting spot because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Judas, filled with guilt, led a group of soldiers and officials, sent by the high priests and Pharisees, into the night. Their lanterns, torches, and weapons glowed ominously in the darkness.

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

Fully aware of what was about to happen, Jesus bravely stepped forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"

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

They responded, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus confirmed, "Yes, it's me." Judas, his betrayer, was there among them.

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

The moment he revealed himself saying, "It's me," they were taken aback, stumbling and falling to the ground in awe.

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

He questioned them once more, "Who are you looking for?" Their response was simple, "Jesus of Nazareth."

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

Jesus responded, "I've confirmed that I am the one you're looking for. So, please, let the others leave unharmed."

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

So his words came true when he said, "None of those you gave me have I let slip away."

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

Simon Peter, filled with fear and anger, unsheathed his sword. In a swift, regrettable action, he struck the high priest's servant, severing his right ear. The servant, known as Malchus, cried out in pain.

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?

Jesus gently told Peter, "Sheathe your sword. Shouldn't I accept the challenge my Father has given me?"

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

The group, including the captain and Jewish officers, apprehended Jesus, restraining him with bonds, their hearts heavy with duty.

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

First, they took him to Annas, Caiaphas' father-in-law. Caiaphas was the high priest that year.

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

Caiaphas was the one who advised the Jews, believing it was necessary for one man to sacrifice his life for the sake of the people.

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.

Simon Peter, filled with devotion, trailed behind Jesus, as did another follower. This follower, recognized by the high priest, accompanied Jesus into the grandeur of the high priest's palace.

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.

Peter waited anxiously outside the door. The other disciple, familiar to the high priest, stepped out, spoke gently to the doorkeeper, and ushered Peter inside.

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.

The young girl guarding the door turned to Peter, her eyes filled with suspicion. "Aren't you a follower of this man too?" she asked. Peter, his voice trembling slightly, denied it. "No, I'm not."

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.

The attendants and guards huddled together, stoking a coal fire against the biting cold. They sought comfort in its warmth, and Peter, too, joined them, basking in the fire's gentle heat.

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

The high priest then inquired from Jesus about his followers and his teachings.

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.

Jesus responded, "I've always spoken honestly and openly to everyone. I taught in places of worship where people gather, never hiding or whispering secrets."

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Why question me? Ask those who heard my words, they know exactly what I said.

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?

After he spoke, an officer nearby slapped Jesus, demanding, "Is that how you respond to the high priest?"

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

Jesus responded, "If I've said something wrong, prove it. But if I'm right, why are you hurting me?"

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Annas, filled with a sense of duty, had reluctantly handed him over, shackled, to Caiaphas, the respected high priest.

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.

Simon Peter stood there, seeking warmth. They questioned him, "Aren't you a follower of him too?" Overwhelmed with fear, he denied it, saying, "No, I am not."

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?

A relative of the high priest's servant, whose ear Peter had sliced off, questioned, "Didn't I spot you in the garden with him?" His voice was tinged with suspicion and disbelief.

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Peter, once more, rejected the truth. Instantly, the rooster's crow pierced the silence.

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.

They took Jesus from Caiaphas to the court, early in the morning. They didn't enter the court themselves, fearing it would make them impure and prevent them from partaking in the Passover meal.

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Pilate stepped out to face them, his voice heavy with curiosity and concern, "What charges are you laying against this man?"

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

They responded, "If he wasn't a wrongdoer, we wouldn't have handed him over to you."

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:

Pilate told them, "You judge him by your own laws." The Jews responded, "We're not allowed to sentence anyone to death."

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

So that Jesus' prophecy could come true, indicating the manner of his own death.

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

Pilate returned to the courtroom, beckoned Jesus closer, and asked him with a curious tone, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

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

Jesus responded, "Did you come up with this idea on your own, or did others suggest it about me?"

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

Pilate retorted, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and high priests handed you over to me. What is your crime?"

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.

Jesus responded, "My realm isn't earthly. If it were, my followers would battle to prevent my surrender to the Jews. But my kingdom is beyond this world."

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.

So Pilate asked him, "Are you a king?" Jesus replied, "You say I am. I was born for this purpose, to reveal the truth. And anyone who seeks the truth will listen to me."

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.

Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After posing this question, he returned to the Jews, declaring with conviction, "I see no guilt in him."

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?

You have a tradition of freeing one prisoner during Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?

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

In a unified outcry, they all rejected him, pleading instead for Barabbas. And Barabbas, he was nothing more than a common thief.