1. When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers and went across the Kidron Valley. He went into a garden there, his followers still with him.
2. Judas, the one responsible for handing Jesus over, knew where this place was. He knew because Jesus often met there with his followers.
3. So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden, along with some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
4. Jesus already knew everything that would happen to him. So he went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
5. They answered, “Jesus from Nazareth.” He said, “I am Jesus.” (Judas, the one responsible for handing Jesus over, was standing there with them.)
6. When Jesus said, “I am Jesus,” the men moved back and fell to the ground.
7. He asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
8. Jesus said, “I told you that I am Jesus. So if you are looking for me, let these other men go free.”
9. This was to show the truth of what Jesus said earlier: “I have not lost anyone you gave me.”
10. Simon Peter had a sword, which he pulled out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! I must drink from the cup the Father has given me.”
12. Then the soldiers with their commander and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus. They tied him
13. and brought him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the high priest that year.
14. He was also the one who had told the other Jewish leaders that it would be better if one man died for all the people.
15. Simon Peter and another one of Jesus’ followers went with Jesus. This follower knew the high priest. So he went with Jesus into the yard of the high priest’s house.