After Jesus finished this prayer; he left with his disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden. Judas, the traitor, knew where this place was, for Jesus had gone there often with his disciples. The Pharisees and the leading priests had given Judas a large detachment of Roman soldiers and temple police to seize Jesus. Judas guided them to the garden, all of them carrying torches and lanterns and armed with swords and spears. Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen, went out to the garden entrance to meet them. Stepping forward, he asked, “Who are you looking for?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. (Now Judas, the traitor, was among them.)
He replied, “I am he.”
And the moment Jesus spoke the words, “I am he,” the mob fell backward to the ground!
So once more, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
As they stood up, they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus replied, “I told you that I am the one you’re looking for, so if you want me, let these men go home.”
He said this to fulfill the prophecy he had spoken, “Father, not one of those you have given me has been lost.”
Suddenly, Peter took out his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, slashing off his right ear! The servant’s name was Malchus.
Jesus ordered Peter, “Put your sword away! Do you really think I will avoid the suffering which my Father has assigned to me?”
Then the soldiers and their captain, along with the Jewish officers, seized Jesus and tied him up. They took him first to Annas, as he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had persuaded the Jewish leaders that it would be better off to have one person die for the sake of the people.
Bible App
Bible App for Kids
