Good FridayβοΈ
Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley
to where there was a garden,
into which he and his disciples entered.
Judas his betrayer also knew the place,
because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards
from the chief priests and the Pharisees
and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him,
went out and said to them, βWhom are you looking for?β
They answered him, βJesus the Nazorean.β
He said to them, βI AM.β
Judas his betrayer was also with them.
When he said to them, βI AM, β
they turned away and fell to the ground.
So he again asked them,
βWhom are you looking for?β
They said, βJesus the Nazorean.β
Jesus answered,
βI told you that I AM.
So if you are looking for me, let these men go.β
This was to fulfill what he had said,
βI have not lost any of those you gave me.β
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it,
struck the high priestβs slave, and cut off his right ear.
The slaveβs name was Malchus.
Jesus said to Peter,
βPut your sword into its scabbard.
Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?β
So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus,
bound him, and brought him to Annas first.
He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,
who was high priest that year.
It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews
that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus.
Now the other disciple was known to the high priest,
and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus.
But Peter stood at the gate outside.
So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest,
went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in.
Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter,
βYou are not one of this manβs disciples, are you?β
He said, βI am not.β
Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire
that they had made, because it was cold,
and were warming themselves.
Peter was also standing there keeping warm.
The high priest questioned Jesus
about his disciples and about his doctrine.
Jesus answered him,
βI have spoken publicly to the world.
I have always taught in a synagogue
or in the temple area where all the Jews gather,
and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me?
Ask those who heard me what I said to them.
They know what I said.β
When he had said this,
one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said,
βIs this the way you answer the high priest?β
Jesus answered him,
βIf I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong;
but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?β
Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm.
And they said to him,
βYou are not one of his disciples, are you?β
He denied it and said,
βI am not.β
One of the slaves of the high priest,
a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said,
βDidnβt I see you in the garden with him?β
Again Peter denied it.
And immediately the cock crowed.βοΈπβοΈ