MODERN LITERAL VERSION

18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the winter-stream of Kidron valley, where there was a garden, into which he himself and his disciples entered.
18:2 Now Judas, (who is giving him up), also knew the place, because Jesus gathered there often with his disciples.
18:3 Therefore, having received the cohort of soldiers and attendants from the high-priests and the Pharisees, Judas comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
18:4 Therefore Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth and says to them, Whom are you* seeking?

18:5 They answered him, Jesus the Nazarene.
Jesus says to them, I am he. And Judas, who was giving him up, was also standing with them.
18:6 Therefore, when he said to them, I am he, they went away and fell to the level-ground.
18:7 Therefore again he asked them, Whom are you* seeking?
And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.

18:8 Jesus answered, I told you* that I am he; therefore if you* seek me, allow these men to go away.
18:9 (This happened in order that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, Out of those whom you have given me, I did not lose one. )
18:10 Therefore, Simon Peter, having a sword, unsheathed it and struck the high-priest's bondservant and cut off his right ear. Now the bondservant's name was Malchus.
18:11 Therefore Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into the sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, should I not drink it?

18:12 So the cohort and the commander and the attendants of the Jews, took Jesus and bound him,
18:13 and led him to Annas first; for* he was the father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high-priest that year.
18:14 But it was Caiaphas, who counseled the Jews that it was advantageous for one man to perish on behalf of the people.

18:15 And Simon Peter and the other disciple followed Jesus. Now that disciple was known to the high-priest and went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the high-priest;
18:16 but Peter was standing outside at the door. Therefore the other disciple, who was known to the high-priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought in Peter.
18:17 Therefore, the maidservant who was the doorkeeper says to Peter, Are you also one out of this man's disciples?
He says, I am not.
18:18 Now the bondservants and the attendants were standing there, having made* a coal-fire, because it was cold, and they were warming themselves and Peter was standing and warming himself with them.

18:19 Therefore, the high-priest asked Jesus concerning his disciples and concerning his teaching.
18:20 Jesus answered him, I spoke publicly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue s and in the temple, where the Jews always come together, and I spoke nothing in secret.
18:21 Why are you asking me? Ask those who have heard me, what I spoke to them. Behold, these know what I said.

18:22 And when he had said these things, one of the attendants standing beside him gave a slap on the cheek to Jesus, saying, Why are you answering the high-priest so?

18:23 Jesus answered him, If I spoke evilly, testify concerning the evil, but if well, why are you whipping me?

18:24 Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high-priest.
{Mk 14:66-72 & Mt 26:69-75 & Lk 22:54-62 & Jn 18:25-27.}

18:25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Therefore they said to him, Are you also one out of his disciples?
Then* he denied and said, I am not.

18:26 One out of the bondservants of the high-priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, says, Did I not see you in the garden with him?

18:27 Then* Peter denied again and immediately the rooster crowed.
{Mk 15:2-5 & Mt 27:11-14 & Lk 23:2-5 & Jn 18:28-38 Jerusalem early Friday morning.}

18:28 Then* they lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the palace and it was morning, and they themselves did not enter into the palace, that* they might not be defiled, but that* they might eat the Passover.
18:29 Therefore, Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation are you* bringing against this man?

18:30 They answered and said to him, If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have given him up to you.

18:31 Therefore Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves and judge him according to your* law.
Therefore the Jews said to him, It is not legal for us to kill anyone.
18:32 (This happened in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke signifying by what sort of death he was about to die.)

18:33 Therefore, Pilate entered again into the palace, and summoned Jesus and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews?

18:34 Jesus answered him, Do you say this from yourself or did others say this to you concerning me?

18:35 Pilate answered, I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the high-priests gave you to me. What have you done?

18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not from this world; if my kingdom were from this world, then my attendants would fight that* I might not be given up to the Jews, but now my kingdom is not from here.

18:37 Therefore Pilate said to him, Are you not a king?
Jesus answered, You are saying that I am a king. I have been born to this end and I have come into the world to this end, that* I might testify to the truth. Everyone who is from the truth hears my voice.

18:38 Pilate says to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and says to them, I am finding no crime in him.
{Mk 15:6-19 & Mt 27:15-30 & Jn 18:39-19:16 Friday, April 7, 30AD.}

18:39 But it is a custom with you*, that* I should release to you* one prisoner at the Passover; therefore, do you* will that I should release to you* the King of the Jews?

18:40 Then* they all cried-out again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
{Footnotes: Jn 18:1- Or: of the Cedars.}