The Betrayal of Jesus
(Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53)

1After Jesus (YHWH saves) had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples (pupils) across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. 2Now Judas (praise) His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus [Jesus also]a had often met there with His disciples (pupils). 3So Judas (praise) brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus (YHWH saves), knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you⁺ seeking?”

5“Jesus (YHWH saves) of Nazareth (branch),” they answered.

Jesus said, “I am He.”

And Judas (praise) His betrayer was standing there with them. 6When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7So He asked them again, “Whom are you⁺ seeking?”

“Jesus (YHWH saves) of Nazareth (branch),” they answered.

8“I told you⁺ that I am He,” Jesus (YHWH saves) replied. “So if you⁺ are looking for Me, let these men go.” 9This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me <Jhn 6:39, Jhn 17:12>.”b

10Then Simon (hearing) Peter (rock) drew his sword and struck the servant {doulon} of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus (YHWH saves) said to Peter (rock). “Shall I not drink the cup the Father {Patēr} has given Me?”

12Then the band of soldiers, with its commander (of a thousand men) and the officers of the Jews (people of praise), arrested Jesus (YHWH saves) and bound Him. 13They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews (people of praise) that it would be better if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial
(Matthew 26:69–70; Mark 14:66–68; Luke 22:54–57)

15Now Simon (hearing) Peter (rock) and another disciple (pupil) were following Jesus (YHWH saves). Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16But Peter (rock) stood outside at the door. Then the disciple (pupil) who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

17At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter (rock), “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples (pupils)?”

“I am not,” he answered.

18Because it was cold, the servants {douloi} and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter (rock) was also standing with them, warming himself.

Jesus before the High Priest
(Matthew 26:57–68; Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:66–71)

19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus (YHWH saves) about His disciples (pupils) and His teaching {didachēs}.

20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus (YHWH saves) answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews (people of praise) come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely (behold) they know what I said.”

22When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”

23Jesus (YHWH saves) replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”

24Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials
(Matthew 26:71–75; Mark 14:69–72; Luke 22:58–62)

25Simon (hearing) Peter (rock) was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples (pupils)?”

He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26One of the high priest’s servants {doulōn}, a relative of the man whose ear Peter (rock) had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”

27Peter (rock) denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate
(Matthew 27:11–14; Luke 23:1–5)

28Then they led Jesus (YHWH saves) away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

29So Pilate (armed with a spear) went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you⁺ bringing against this man?”

30“If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

31“You⁺ take Him and judge Him by your⁺ own law,” Pilate (armed with a spear) told them.

“We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews (people of praise) replied. 32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus (YHWH saves) had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die <Jhn 12:32–33>.c

33Pilate (armed with a spear) went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus (YHWH saves), and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews (people of praise)?”

34“Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus (YHWH saves) asked, “or did others tell you about Me?”

35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate (armed with a spear) replied. “Your own people {ethnos} and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?”

36Jesus (YHWH saves) answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews (people of praise). But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”

37“Then You are a king!” Pilate (armed with a spear) said.

“You say that I am a king,” Jesus (YHWH saves) answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

38“What is truth?” Pilate (armed with a spear) asked.

And having said this, he went out again to the Jews (people of praise) and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. 39But it is your⁺ custom that I release to you⁺ one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you⁺ want me to release to you⁺ the King of the Jews (people of praise)?”

40“Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas (Son of Abba)!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)