Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible




Therefore, when the people had gathered together, Pilate asked them, "Whom do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?" For he knew that the reason they had turned Jesus over to him was out of envy. Then while he was seated in Pilate's courtroom of justice, Pilate's wife sent [word] to him, saying, "You should have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I was very troubled in a dream over him today." [Note: That is, she was troubled over a dream she had before waking up that morning]. read more.
Now the leading priests and [Jewish] elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas [to be released] and for Jesus to be killed. But the governor asked them, "Which one of these two men do you want me to release to you?" And they answered, "Barabbas." Pilate replied, "Then what should I do to Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?" They all shouted, "Let him be crucified!" And he said, "Why [should he be]? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted out even louder, "Let him be crucified!" So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, "I am not responsible for this man's blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say "righteous man's blood"]. You tend to the matter." And all the people answered, "Let his blood be on our hands, and on our children's [as well]." Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and then turned over to be crucified.

Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people, and said to them, "You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you or Herod have brought [against him]. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. read more.
Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}. But the people all joined together shouting, "Take this man [i.e., Jesus] and release Barabbas to us [instead]." [Now] Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion in the city [of Jerusalem] and for committing murder. Then Pilate spoke to them again [because] he wanted to release Jesus, but they continued shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him." So, Pilate called out to them a third time, "Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him." But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out. So, Pilate issued the sentence the people were demanding

Pilate replied to Him, "What is truth?" After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, "I do not find him guilty of any crime. But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" They shouted out again, "[No], not this man. [We want] Barabbas!" [Note: Ironically, Barabbas' name means "son of the father"]. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then, when the leading priests and the [Temple] guards saw Him, they shouted out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate responded by saying, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, because I do not find him guilty of any crime." The Jews replied, "We have a law which requires that he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." So, when Pilate heard this statement, he was [even] more afraid read more.
and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above [i.e., from God]. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." After [hearing] this, Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews shouted out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Everyone who claims to be a king [i.e., as they had accused Jesus of doing. See 18:37] is in opposition to Caesar." noon] on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. [Note: This would be the day before the Passover Festival]. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Look, [here is] your king!" Then when Pilate heard [them say] this, he brought Jesus outside [again] and sat down on the judge's bench at a place called 'The Stone Pavement,' but in the Hebrew language is called 'Gabbatha.'

Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people, and said to them, "You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you or Herod have brought [against him]. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. read more.
Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}. But the people all joined together shouting, "Take this man [i.e., Jesus] and release Barabbas to us [instead]." [Now] Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion in the city [of Jerusalem] and for committing murder. Then Pilate spoke to them again [because] he wanted to release Jesus, but they continued shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him." So, Pilate called out to them a third time, "Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him." But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out. So, Pilate issued the sentence the people were demanding and released the man they had asked for [i.e., Barabbas], who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion and committing murder. But he turned Jesus over to the people do with Him whatever they wanted.

Now at the [Passover] Festival, the governor was accustomed to releasing whatever prisoner the crowd wanted. There was at that time in custody a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. Therefore, when the people had gathered together, Pilate asked them, "Whom do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?" read more.
For he knew that the reason they had turned Jesus over to him was out of envy. Then while he was seated in Pilate's courtroom of justice, Pilate's wife sent [word] to him, saying, "You should have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I was very troubled in a dream over him today." [Note: That is, she was troubled over a dream she had before waking up that morning]. Now the leading priests and [Jewish] elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas [to be released] and for Jesus to be killed. But the governor asked them, "Which one of these two men do you want me to release to you?" And they answered, "Barabbas." Pilate replied, "Then what should I do to Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?" They all shouted, "Let him be crucified!" And he said, "Why [should he be]? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted out even louder, "Let him be crucified!" So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, "I am not responsible for this man's blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say "righteous man's blood"]. You tend to the matter." And all the people answered, "Let his blood be on our hands, and on our children's [as well]." Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and then turned over to be crucified.

Now at the Passover Festival Pilate customarily released whatever prisoner the people asked him to. One prisoner, named Barabbas, was kept chained up in prison along with men who had committed murder during a rebellion. The crowd [then] went to Pilate and asked him to do what he was accustomed to doing for them [i.e., release a prisoner of their choosing during the Passover Festival]. read more.
Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews [i.e., Jesus]?" For he perceived that the leading priests had turned Jesus over to him out of envy. But the leading priests stirred up the crowd to insist that Pilate release Barabbas to them instead. [So], Pilate again asked them, "Then what shall I do to this one you call the king of the Jews?" And they shouted out again, "Crucify him " And Pilate said to them, "Why [should we]; what wrong has he done?" But they shouted out even louder, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and after he had Jesus flogged, he turned Him over to be crucified.

But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" They shouted out again, "[No], not this man. [We want] Barabbas!" [Note: Ironically, Barabbas' name means "son of the father"]. Now Barabbas was a robber.

So, Pilate then took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers wove thorny twigs into a crown and placed it on His head and dressed Him in a purple robe. Then they went [up] to Him and said, "Hey! King of the Jews!" and struck Him [in the face with their hands]. read more.
Now Pilate went outside again and said to the Jewish authorities, "Look, I am bringing him out here to you, so you can know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." So, Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to the [assembled] Jewish authorities, "Look, [here is] the man!" Then, when the leading priests and the [Temple] guards saw Him, they shouted out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate responded by saying, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, because I do not find him guilty of any crime." The Jews replied, "We have a law which requires that he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." So, when Pilate heard this statement, he was [even] more afraid and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above [i.e., from God]. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." After [hearing] this, Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews shouted out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Everyone who claims to be a king [i.e., as they had accused Jesus of doing. See 18:37] is in opposition to Caesar." noon] on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. [Note: This would be the day before the Passover Festival]. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Look, [here is] your king!" Then when Pilate heard [them say] this, he brought Jesus outside [again] and sat down on the judge's bench at a place called 'The Stone Pavement,' but in the Hebrew language is called 'Gabbatha.' Now it was about six o'clock in the morning [Note: This was according to Roman time, but if Jewish time were meant, it would have been Then they shouted out, "Take him away; take him away and crucify him!" Pilate replied to them, "Do you want me to crucify your king?" The leading priests answered, "We do not have any [other] king, except Caesar." Finally, Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.


Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people, and said to them, "You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you or Herod have brought [against him]. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. read more.
Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}. But the people all joined together shouting, "Take this man [i.e., Jesus] and release Barabbas to us [instead]." [Now] Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion in the city [of Jerusalem] and for committing murder. Then Pilate spoke to them again [because] he wanted to release Jesus, but they continued shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him." So, Pilate called out to them a third time, "Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him." But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out. So, Pilate issued the sentence the people were demanding and released the man they had asked for [i.e., Barabbas], who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion and committing murder. But he turned Jesus over to the people do with Him whatever they wanted.

And he said, "Why [should he be]? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted out even louder, "Let him be crucified!" So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, "I am not responsible for this man's blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say "righteous man's blood"]. You tend to the matter." And all the people answered, "Let his blood be on our hands, and on our children's [as well]." read more.
Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and then turned over to be crucified. Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus to Pilate's headquarters and assembled the entire company [i.e., about men] in front of Him.

Pilate replied to Him, "What is truth?" After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, "I do not find him guilty of any crime. But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

Now Pilate went outside again and said to the Jewish authorities, "Look, I am bringing him out here to you, so you can know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." So, Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to the [assembled] Jewish authorities, "Look, [here is] the man!" Then, when the leading priests and the [Temple] guards saw Him, they shouted out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate responded by saying, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, because I do not find him guilty of any crime." read more.
The Jews replied, "We have a law which requires that he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." So, when Pilate heard this statement, he was [even] more afraid and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above [i.e., from God]. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." After [hearing] this, Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews shouted out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Everyone who claims to be a king [i.e., as they had accused Jesus of doing. See 18:37] is in opposition to Caesar." noon] on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. [Note: This would be the day before the Passover Festival]. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Look, [here is] your king!" Then when Pilate heard [them say] this, he brought Jesus outside [again] and sat down on the judge's bench at a place called 'The Stone Pavement,' but in the Hebrew language is called 'Gabbatha.' Now it was about six o'clock in the morning [Note: This was according to Roman time, but if Jewish time were meant, it would have been

Now at the [Passover] Festival, the governor was accustomed to releasing whatever prisoner the crowd wanted. Verse ConceptsCrowds SeekingOnly One PersonPeople Releasing Others

Now at the Passover Festival Pilate customarily released whatever prisoner the people asked him to. Verse ConceptsCustomPeople Releasing Others

Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}.

But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" Verse ConceptsCustomChrist Is King Of IsraelPeople Releasing Others

For [truly] it was both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, who gathered together in this city [of Jerusalem] against your Holy Servant Jesus Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of ChristJesus Christ, Holiness OfChrist, Character OfProphecies Concerning ChristChrist, Names ForThe Anointed OneAntagonism From Jew And GentileNamed Gentile Rulers

I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17], Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofSolemn ChargesGod Giving LifeThe Witness Of ChristAll Life Is Dependent On GodWitnessingtestimonyconfessing

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob --- the God of our forefathers --- has highly honored His servant Jesus, whom you people turned over [to the Roman authorities] and denied [Him freedom] in the presence of [governor] Pilate, who had already decided to release Him. Verse Conceptsenemies, of Jesus ChristJacob, The PatriarchMoses, Significance OfPeter, Preacher And TeacherRenunciationHanding Over ChristPeople Set Free By People

Then, early in the morning they led Jesus from Caiaphas to [governor Pilate's] headquarters. But the Jewish authorities would not enter it, because [if they had] they would have become ceremonially unclean, and could not eat the Passover meal. [Note: This was because they regarded a Gentile house as defiling]. So, Pilate went outside to them and asked, "What charge do you bring against this man?" The Jewish authorities answered Pilate, "If this man were not guilty of wrongdoing, we would not have turned him over to you." read more.
So, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your [own] law." [But] the Jews replied to him, "It is not permissible for us to put anyone to death." [They said this] so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, regarding the kind of death He would die. [Note: Jesus had predicted he would be "lifted up," indicating a Roman crucifixion. See 12:32-33]. So, Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus. He said to Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Are you saying this of your own accord, or did other people tell you about me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and the leading priests turned you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered him, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, then my servants [i.e., disciples] would fight to keep me from being turned over to the Jews. But now my kingdom does not belong here." [i.e., Jesus' kingdom was not based on physical, but spiritual principles]. So, Pilate said to Him, "Are you a king, then?" Jesus answered, "You are [correct in] calling me a 'king.' This was the [very] purpose for which I was born and came into the world, that I should testify about the truth. Every person who wants [to know and obey] the truth listens to me." Pilate replied to Him, "What is truth?" After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, "I do not find him guilty of any crime. But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" They shouted out again, "[No], not this man. [We want] Barabbas!" [Note: Ironically, Barabbas' name means "son of the father"]. Now Barabbas was a robber.

They asked Pilate to have Him put to death, even though they could not find any [legitimate] reason to execute Him. Verse ConceptsChrist Was Killed


Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people, and said to them, "You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you or Herod have brought [against him]. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. read more.
Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}. But the people all joined together shouting, "Take this man [i.e., Jesus] and release Barabbas to us [instead]." [Now] Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion in the city [of Jerusalem] and for committing murder. Then Pilate spoke to them again [because] he wanted to release Jesus, but they continued shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him." So, Pilate called out to them a third time, "Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him." But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out. So, Pilate issued the sentence the people were demanding and released the man they had asked for [i.e., Barabbas], who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion and committing murder. But he turned Jesus over to the people do with Him whatever they wanted.

And he said, "Why [should he be]? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted out even louder, "Let him be crucified!" So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, "I am not responsible for this man's blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say "righteous man's blood"]. You tend to the matter." And all the people answered, "Let his blood be on our hands, and on our children's [as well]." read more.
Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and then turned over to be crucified. Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus to Pilate's headquarters and assembled the entire company [i.e., about men] in front of Him.

Pilate replied to Him, "What is truth?" After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, "I do not find him guilty of any crime. But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

Now Pilate went outside again and said to the Jewish authorities, "Look, I am bringing him out here to you, so you can know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." So, Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to the [assembled] Jewish authorities, "Look, [here is] the man!" Then, when the leading priests and the [Temple] guards saw Him, they shouted out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate responded by saying, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, because I do not find him guilty of any crime." read more.
The Jews replied, "We have a law which requires that he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." So, when Pilate heard this statement, he was [even] more afraid and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to Him, "Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above [i.e., from God]. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." After [hearing] this, Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews shouted out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Everyone who claims to be a king [i.e., as they had accused Jesus of doing. See 18:37] is in opposition to Caesar." noon] on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. [Note: This would be the day before the Passover Festival]. And Pilate said to the Jews, "Look, [here is] your king!" Then when Pilate heard [them say] this, he brought Jesus outside [again] and sat down on the judge's bench at a place called 'The Stone Pavement,' but in the Hebrew language is called 'Gabbatha.'

And while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, came with a large crowd who were carrying swords and clubs. They had come from the leading priests and elders of the [Jewish] people. Now the one who betrayed Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whoever I give a kiss [of greeting to], he is the one, take hold of him." So, immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi," and [then] kissed Him [enthusiastically]. read more.
And Jesus said to him, "[My] friend, [go ahead], do what you came to do." Then the Jewish officers came and arrested Jesus and began taking Him away. Just then, one of those who were with Jesus [i.e., Peter. See John 18:10], reached out with his sword and struck the head priest's servant [with it], shearing off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in your belt again, for all those who use the sword will die by the sword. Or, do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father and He will immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels [i.e., Jesus could have called about 72,000 angels to minister to Him. See Matt. 4:11]? How [else] then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that this must happen [than what is taking place]?" [Then] Jesus said to the crowds at that very time, "Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as [you would apprehend] a thief? I sat everyday teaching in the Temple, and you did not [come to] take me. But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then all of His disciples left Him and ran away. And those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas, the head priest, where the experts in the law of Moses and the [Jewish] elders were gathered. But Peter followed Him from a distance [as they were going] to the courtyard of the head priest. He went inside [i.e., eventually. See John 18:15-16] and sat down with the [Jewish] officers to see how things would turn out [i.e., with Jesus' trial]. Now the leading priests and the entire Council [called "the Sanhedrin"] looked for false witnesses [to testify] against Jesus, in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any [i.e., whose stories harmonized. See Mark 14:56], even though many false witnesses came [forward to testify]. Finally, two [false witnesses] came forward and said, "This man [i.e., Jesus] said, 'I can destroy the Temple of God, and [then] rebuild it within three days.'" The head priest stood up and said to Him, "Have you nothing to answer? What about this charge being made against you by these people?" But Jesus did not say anything. So, the head priest said to Him, "I command you [to swear] by the living God, [and] to tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one], the Son of God!" Jesus replied to him, "You have said so; nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky." Then the head priest tore at his clothing [i.e., as an expression of frustration], saying, "He has spoken against God [i.e., by claiming Deity for Himself]. What additional need do we have for witnesses? Look, you [yourselves] have now heard him speaking against God. What do you people think [i.e., about such statements]?" They answered, "He deserves to die." Then they spit in His face and hit Him [with their fists], while others slapped Him [in the face], saying, "Prophesy to us, you 'Christ.' Tell us who hit you?" [Note: By this time Jesus had been blindfolded. See Mark 14:65]. Now Peter was sitting outside in a courtyard and a servant-girl approached him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the Galilean." But he denied [it] in front of all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." And when he had gone out by the gate, another servant-girl saw him and said to those nearby, "This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth." And he denied [it] again, [this time] with an oath, saying, "I do not [even] know the man." And a little later, those standing nearby came to Peter and said, "[We know] for sure, you also are one of them [i.e., Jesus' disciples], because your accent gives you away." Then Peter began to curse and swear, "[I tell you], I do not know the man." And immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times." And he went out and cried bitterly.

And immediately, as Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles came with a crowd who were carrying swords and clubs. [They had come] from the leading priests, the experts in the law of Moses and the [Jewish] elders. Now the one who turned Him over to the Jewish leaders [i.e., Judas] had given them a signal, saying, "Whoever I give a kiss [of greeting] to, he is the one; arrest him and lead him away under guard." And when Judas came, immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Rabbi," and then kissed Him [enthusiastically]. read more.
Then the soldiers and officers arrested Him and began taking Him away. But a certain disciple that was standing nearby [i.e., Peter. See John 18:10] drew his sword and struck the head priest's servant [i.e., Malchus. See John 18:10], shearing off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs like you would a thief? I was with you every day, teaching in the Temple, and you did not [come to] take me. But this has happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled." And all of His disciples left Him and ran away. And a certain young man [Note: Some think this is a reference to Mark himself], who had a linen outer garment thrown over his scantily clad body, was following Jesus until they [i.e., the soldiers and officers] took hold of him. [Note: The wording here does not indicate total nakedness, but rather the wearing of underclothing only] Then he ran away in his underclothing, leaving his linen outer garment behind. Then they led Jesus away to the head priest, and all the leading priests, [Jewish] elders and experts in the law of Moses came together with Him. But Peter had followed Him from a distance, right into the courtyard of the head priest. He was sitting there with the [Jewish] officers, warming himself by the light of the fire. Now the leading priests and the entire Council [called the "Sanhedrin"] were looking for [false] witnesses to testify against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but did not find any. For many persons gave false testimony against Him, but their stories did not harmonize. Then two people [See Matt. 26:60] stood up and gave false testimony against Him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this Temple, which was constructed by hand, and in three days I will build another one, not made by hand.'" And not even [in this attempt did] their testimony harmonize. The head priest stood up in front of them and asked Jesus, "Do you not have anything to answer? What about this charge being made against you by these people?" But Jesus kept quiet and did not give them any answer. Again the head priest asked Him, "Are you the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one]?" And Jesus answered, "Yes, I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God, Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky." And the head priest tore at his clothing [i.e., as an expression of frustration] and said, "What additional need do we have for witnesses? You [yourselves] have heard him speaking against God. What do you people think [i.e., about such statements]?" And they all condemned Him as deserving the death penalty. And some of them began to spit on Him, then to cover His face [with a blindfold] and hit Him [with their fists], saying, "Prophesy [i.e., tell who hit you]." And the officers in charge of Him also struck Him with their hands. Now when Peter was in the courtyard downstairs [i.e., from where the Sanhedrin was having its meeting. See verse 55], one of the head priest's servant girls came in, and seeing Peter warming himself by the fire, she looked at him and said, "You were with Jesus from Nazareth, too." But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." Then he went out onto the porch and the rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him [there], she again began saying to those nearby, "This man is one of them [i.e., a disciple of Jesus]." But again he denied it. Then after a little while those standing nearby said to Peter again, "We know for sure that you are one of them because you are from Galilee." [Note: Peter's accent gave him away. See Matt. 26:73]. Then Peter began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know this man you are talking about." Immediately the rooster crowed for the second time and Peter was reminded of the words of Jesus, who had said to him, "You will deny [knowing] me three times before the rooster crows twice." And as he thought about this, he cried.

While He was still speaking suddenly one of the twelve apostles, named Judas, [who was] leading a crowd, came near Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?" And when [the rest of] the disciples, who were gathered around Jesus, saw what was about to happen, they said, "Lord, do you want us to strike them with a sword?" read more.
Then a certain one of them struck the head priest's slave and sheared off his right ear. [Note: It was Peter who struck this man, whose name was Malchus. See John 18:10]. But Jesus replied, "Stop it; [that is] enough!" Then He touched the man's [partially severed] ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the leading priests and captains of the Temple [guard] and the [Jewish] elders that came to take Him, "Have you come out [to arrest me] with swords and clubs as you would [apprehend] a thief? When I was with you every day in the Temple you did not raise a hand against me. But this is your hour [i.e., the time for you to act against me] and the power of darkness [has now taken over]." Then they arrested Jesus and led Him away to the head priest's house [i.e., Caiaphas. See Matt. 26:57]. But Peter followed Him from a distance [i.e., as they went to the head priest's courtyard]. And when they [i.e., the priest's servants] had built a fire in the middle of the courtyard, they sat down together [i.e., to warm themselves. See Mark 14:67], with Peter [sitting] among the group. Then a certain [servant] girl saw Peter sitting there in the light of the fire. As she stared at him she said, "This man was with Jesus, too." But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not [even] know Him." Then a little while later, someone else saw Peter and said, "You are one of them also [i.e., one of Jesus' disciples]." But Peter replied, "Man, I am not." And about an hour later someone else stated emphatically, "I know for sure that this man was also with him [i.e., Jesus], for he is from Galilee [too]." [Note: Peter's accent gave him away. See Matt. 26:73]. But then Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Just then, as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. Then the Lord turned and gave Peter a [penetrating] glance. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how He had said to him, "You will deny [knowing] me three times before the rooster crows today." Then Peter went out and cried bitterly. Now the men who were holding Jesus [in custody] began mocking Him and beating Him. And they blindfolded Him and asked Him, "Prophesy, who is it that hit you?" And they said many other derogatory things against Him. And when it became daylight, the body of [Jewish] elders of the people, [consisting of] both leading priests and experts in the law of Moses, was gathered together. Then they led Jesus away to their Council [called the "Sanhedrin"], and asked Him, "Tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one]." But He replied, "You would not believe me if I [did] tell you [who I am]. And if I asked you [who I am] you would not answer. But from now on the Son of man will be seated at the right side of the powerful God." So, they all asked [Him], "Then are you the Son of God?" And He answered them, "You [are right to] say that I am [the Christ]." And they replied, "Why do we need any more evidence? For we have heard [enough] from his own mouth, ourselves."

So, Judas took a detachment of [Roman] soldiers and some [Temple] guards sent from the leading priests and Pharisees, and carrying lanterns, torches and weapons, they went to the orchard. Since Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to Him, He went out and said to them, "Who are you men looking for?" They answered Him, "Jesus, from Nazareth." Jesus replied to them, "I am [He]." Judas, who was turning Him over [to the Jewish authorities] was standing there with them also. read more.
Now when Jesus had said to them, "I am [He]," they [all] moved backward and fell to the ground. [Note: This appears to have been done by some miraculous power]. So, He asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" And they answered, "Jesus, from Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I [already] told you that I am [He]; so if you are looking for me, let these men [i.e., the apostles] go." [He said this] so the words He had spoken [previously] would be fulfilled [See 17:12], "I did not lose any of those men you [i.e., God] gave me." So, Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it out and struck the head priest's slave, cutting off his right ear. Now the slave's name was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in its sheath. Should I not drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] the Father has given me?" So, the detachment of [Roman] soldiers, their commanding officer and the Jewish [Temple] guards arrested Jesus and tied Him up. They led Him to Annas first [Note: This man was a former head priest. See Luke 3:2], for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was head priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was profitable for one man to die for the people. [See 11:50]. Simon Peter followed along with another disciple. [Note: Some think this refers to the apostle John himself, but there is no strong evidence in favor of that conclusion]. Now that disciple was [well-] known to the head priest, so was able to enter his courtyard with Jesus while Peter stood outside at the gate. So, the other disciple, who was [well-] known to the head priest, went outside and spoke to the girl gatekeeper, [who] then brought Peter inside [too]. So, the slave-girl gatekeeper asked Peter, "Are you not one of this man's disciples, too?" "[No], I am not," Peter replied. Now the [head priest's] slaves and the [Temple] guards were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to warm themselves by, because it was cold. And Peter was also warming himself with them. Meanwhile, the head priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. [Note: This was probably Annas, the former "head priest" who later sent Jesus to the current head priest, Caiaphas. See verse 24]. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken publicly to the world; I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews assemble. I have never said anything in secret. Why are you asking me? Ask the people who have heard me about what I said to them. Look, these people know what I said." When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there struck Him [in the face], saying, "Is that any way to talk to the head priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if [I spoke] properly, why did you hit me?" So, Annas had Him tied up and sent Him [on] to Caiaphas, the head priest. Now Simon Peter had been standing and warming himself [by the outdoor charcoal fire]. So, someone asked him, "Are you not one of His disciples, too?" Peter denied it, saying, "[No], I am not." One of the head priest's slaves, who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the orchard with him?" So, Peter denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed. Then, early in the morning they led Jesus from Caiaphas to [governor Pilate's] headquarters. But the Jewish authorities would not enter it, because [if they had] they would have become ceremonially unclean, and could not eat the Passover meal. [Note: This was because they regarded a Gentile house as defiling]. So, Pilate went outside to them and asked, "What charge do you bring against this man?" The Jewish authorities answered Pilate, "If this man were not guilty of wrongdoing, we would not have turned him over to you." So, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your [own] law." [But] the Jews replied to him, "It is not permissible for us to put anyone to death." [They said this] so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, regarding the kind of death He would die. [Note: Jesus had predicted he would be "lifted up," indicating a Roman crucifixion. See 12:32-33]. So, Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus. He said to Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Are you saying this of your own accord, or did other people tell you about me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and the leading priests turned you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered him, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, then my servants [i.e., disciples] would fight to keep me from being turned over to the Jews. But now my kingdom does not belong here." [i.e., Jesus' kingdom was not based on physical, but spiritual principles]. So, Pilate said to Him, "Are you a king, then?" Jesus answered, "You are [correct in] calling me a 'king.' This was the [very] purpose for which I was born and came into the world, that I should testify about the truth. Every person who wants [to know and obey] the truth listens to me." Pilate replied to Him, "What is truth?" After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, "I do not find him guilty of any crime. But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" They shouted out again, "[No], not this man. [We want] Barabbas!" [Note: Ironically, Barabbas' name means "son of the father"]. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Now at the Passover Festival Pilate customarily released whatever prisoner the people asked him to. Verse ConceptsCustomPeople Releasing Others

For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}.

But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" Verse ConceptsCustomChrist Is King Of IsraelPeople Releasing Others

Now at the [Passover] Festival, the governor was accustomed to releasing whatever prisoner the crowd wanted. There was at that time in custody a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. Therefore, when the people had gathered together, Pilate asked them, "Whom do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?"

So, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your [own] law." [But] the Jews replied to him, "It is not permissible for us to put anyone to death." Verse ConceptsLimitednessDeath Penalty For KillingFulfilling The Lawautonomy

But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" Verse ConceptsCustomChrist Is King Of IsraelPeople Releasing Others

Then Pilate said to Him, "Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?" Verse ConceptsHuman Authority, Nature OfCourage, Examples OfChrist Being SilentAuthority Delegated To PeoplePeople Releasing Others