19. The high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching.
20. But Jesus told him, “I have spoken freely in front of everyone. And I have always taught in our meeting places and in the temple, where all our people come together. I have not said anything in secret.
21. Why are you questioning me? Why don't you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said.”
22. As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, “That's no way to talk to the high priest!”
23. Jesus answered, “If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?”
24. Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest.
25. While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself, someone asked him, “Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?”Again Peter denied it and said, “No, I am not!”
26. One of the high priest's servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, “Didn't I see you in the garden with that man?”
27. Once more Peter denied it, and at once a cock crowed.
28. It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken from Caiaphas to the building where the Roman governor stayed. But the crowd waited outside. Any of them who had gone inside would have become unclean and would not be allowed to eat the Passover meal.
29. Pilate came out and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30. They answered, “He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you.”
31. Pilate told them, “Take him and judge him by your own laws.”The crowd replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.”
32. And so what Jesus said about his death would soon come true.
33. Pilate then went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34. Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?”
35. “You know I'm not a Jew!” Pilate said. “Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?”
36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom doesn't belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom doesn't belong to this world.”