4. Jesus knew everything that was to happen to him, so he went out and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
5. They answered, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I Am." (Judas, his betrayer, was standing with them.)
6. When he said, "I Am," they shrank back and fell to the ground.
7. He asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus the Nazarene."
8. Jesus answered, "I told you, ‘I Am.’ If you are looking for me, then let these people go."
9. This was so that the word he had spoken might be fulfilled: "I didn’t lose anyone of those whom you gave me."
10. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11. Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?"
12. Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the guards from the Jewish leaders took Jesus into custody. They bound him
13. and led him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (
14. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was better for one person to die for the people.)
15. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Because this other disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.
16. However, Peter stood outside near the gate. Then the other disciple (the one known to the high priest) came out and spoke to the woman stationed at the gate, and she brought Peter in.
17. The servant woman stationed at the gate asked Peter, "Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?" "I’m not," he replied.
18. The servants and the guards had made a fire because it was cold. They were standing around it, warming themselves. Peter joined them there, standing by the fire and warming himself.
19. Meanwhile, the chief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20. Jesus answered, "I’ve spoken openly to the world. I’ve always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews gather. I’ve said nothing in private.
21. Why ask me? Ask those who heard what I told them. They know what I said."
22. After Jesus spoke, one of the guards standing there slapped Jesus in the face. "Is that how you would answer the high priest?" he asked.
23. Jesus replied, "If I speak wrongly, testify about what was wrong. But if I speak correctly, why do you strike me?"