the Fourth Week of Advent
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George Lamsa Translation
John 18
1 JESUS said these things and went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, to a place where there was a garden, where he and his disciples entered.2 Judas the traitor also knew that place; because Jesus and his disciples frequently gathered there.3 Judas, therefore, took a company of soldiers, and also guards from the high priests and the Pharisees, and he came there with torches and lamps and weapons.4 Jesus, knowing everything that was to happen, went out and said to them. Whom do you want?5 They said to him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas the traitor was also standing with them.6 When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground.7 Jesus again asked them, Whom do you want? They said, Jesus the Nazarene.8 Jesus said to them, I have told you that I am he; if then you want me, let these men go away;9 That the word which he said might be fulfilled, Of those whom you gave me, I have lost not even one.10 But Simon Peter had a sword, and he drew it and struck the high priest''s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant''s name was Malech.11 And Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me?12 Then the soldiers and the captains, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him,
13 And they brought him first to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest of that year.14 Caiaphas was the one who had counselled the Jews, that it was better for one man to die instead of the people.15 Simon Peter and one of the other disciples followed Jesus. The high priest knew that disciple, so he entered with Jesus into the courtyard.16 But Simon stood outside near the door. Then the other disciple, whom the high priest knew, went out and told the portress, and brought in Simon.17 The young portress then said to Simon, Why, are you also one of the disciples of this man? He said to her, No.18 And the servants and guards were standing and making a fire, to warm themselves because it was cold; Simon also stood with them and warmed himself.19 The high priest then questioned Jesus concerning his disciples and concerning his teaching.20 Jesus said to him, I have spoken openly to the people, and I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all Jews assemble; and I have spoken nothing secretly.21 Why do you ask me? ask those who heard what I have spoken to them; behold, they know everything which I said.22 And as he said these things, one of the guards who stood by, struck Jesus on his cheek, and said to him, Is this how you answer the high priest?23 Jesus answered and said to him, If I have spoken any evil, testify to the evil; but if it is good, why did you strike me?24 Annas then sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas the high priest.25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, Why, are you also one of his disciples? He denied and said, I am not.26 Then one of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of him whose ear Simon had cut off, Did I not see you with him in the garden?27 Simon again denied; and at that very hour the cock crew.
28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium; and it was morning; and they did not enter into the praetorium, so that they may not be defiled before they ate the passover.29 Pilate then went outside where they were, and said to them, What accusation do you have against this man?30 They answered and said to him, If he were not an evil-doer, we would not have delivered him up also to you.31 Then said Pilate to them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your own law. The Jews said to him, We have no power to kill a man;32 So that the word which Jesus had said might be fulfilled, when he signified by what kind of death he was to die.33 Pilate then entered into the praetorium, and called Jesus and said to him. Are you the King of the Jews?34 Jesus said to him, Do you say this of yourself, or have others told it to you concerning me?35 Pilate said to him, Why, am I a Jew? Your own people and the high priests have delivered you to me; what have you done?36 Jesus said to him, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.37 Pilate said to him, Then are you a king? Jesus said to him, You say that I am a king.* For this I was born, and for this very thing I came to the world, that I may bear witness concerning the truth. Whoever is of the truth will hear my voice.38 Pilate said to him, What is this truth? And as he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I am unable to find even one cause against him.39 You have a custom that I should release to you one at the passover; do you wish, therefore, that I release to you this king of the Jews?40 They all cried out saying, Not him, but Bar-Abbas. Now this Bar-Abbas was a bandit.