1Depois de dizer estas coisas, Jesus atravessou o vale de Cedron com os discípulos e entrou num olival.2Um local conhecido de Judas, o traidor, por Jesus ali ter ido muitas vezes com os discípulos.3Os principais sacerdotes e fariseus tinham dado a Judas um destacamento de soldados e guardas que o acompanharam. Chegaram ao olival à luz de archotes e lanternas, e de armas na mão.4Jesus sabia bem tudo o que lhe ia acontecer e, avançando ao encontro deles, perguntou: “Quem procuram?”5“Jesus de Nazaré”, responderam. “Sou eu!”, disse Jesus. Judas estava ali com eles quando Jesus se identificou.6Quando Jesus disse: “Sou eu!”, todos recuaram e caíram por terra.7Uma vez mais lhes perguntou: “Quem procuram?” “Jesus de Nazaré.”8“Já vos disse que sou eu”, disse-lhes Jesus. “Uma vez que é a mim que procuram, deixem estes outros ir embora.”9Procedeu assim em cumprimento daquilo que tinha dito, havia pouco tempo, quando orava: “Não perdi um único daqueles que me deste.”10Então Simão Pedro puxou de uma espada e cortou a orelha direita de Malco, servo do sumo sacerdote.11Porém, Jesus disse a Pedro: “Guarda a espada! Não devo eu beber o cálice que o meu Pai me deu?”
Jesus perante Anás
12Os guardas dos judeus e os soldados, mais o comandante, prenderam Jesus e amarraram-no.13E levaram-no primeiro a Anás, sogro de Caifás, que era o sumo sacerdote daquele ano.14Fora Caifás quem dissera aos outros anciãos: “É preferível que morra um único homem pelo povo.”
Pedro nega Jesus
15Simão Pedro seguiu-os, assim como um outro discípulo que era conhecido do sumo sacerdote. Por isso, esse outro discípulo foi autorizado a entrar no pátio juntamente com Jesus,16enquanto que Pedro ficou fora do portão. O outro discípulo, que era conhecido do sumo sacerdote, voltou e falou à criada que guardava o portão, e esta deixou Pedro entrar.17A criada perguntou a Pedro: “Não és um dos discípulos de Jesus?” “Não, não sou!”, respondeu.18Os guardas e os criados estavam à volta de uma fogueira que tinham feito, pois o tempo ia frio. Pedro encontrava-se com eles, a aquecer-se.
O sumo sacerdote interroga Jesus
19Lá dentro, o sumo sacerdote começou a interrogar Jesus acerca dos seus discípulos e do que lhes andara a ensinar.20Jesus respondeu: “O que tenho ensinado é bem conhecido, pois preguei com regularidade nas sinagogas e no templo. Todos os judeus me ouviram e nada ensinei em particular que não tivesse já dito em público.21Aliás, porque me fazes tal pergunta? Interroga aqueles que me ouviram. Alguns estão aqui e sabem o que eu disse.”22Um dos soldados que ali se encontrava deu-lhe uma bofetada: “É assim que respondes ao sumo sacerdote?”23“Se menti, prova-o!”, replicou Jesus. “Se não, porque me feres?”24Então Anás enviou Jesus amarrado, a Caifás, o sumo sacerdote.
Pedro nega Jesus mais duas vezes
25Entretanto, estando Simão Pedro junto à fogueira, tornaram a perguntar-lhe: “Não és um dos seus discípulos?” “Não sou, não!”, disse Pedro.26Mas um dos criados da casa do sumo sacerdote, parente do homem cuja orelha Pedro tinha cortado, perguntou: “Não foi a ti que eu vi no olival com Jesus?”27Uma vez mais, Pedro negou. E imediatamente cantou um galo.
Jesus perante Pilatos
28O julgamento de Jesus na presença de Caifás só acabou de madrugada. Levaram-no em seguida para o palácio do governador romano. Os seus acusadores não podiam entrar, porque isso os tornaria impuros, segundo diziam, impedindo-os de comer o cordeiro pascal.29Assim, Pilatos, que era o governador, saiu ao encontro deles e perguntou: “Que queixa têm contra este homem?”30“Se não fosse malfeitor não to teríamos trazido”, retorquiram.31“Pois então levem-no e julguem-no vocês mesmos de acordo com a vossa Lei!”, tornou-lhes Pilatos. “Mas queremos que seja morto e nós não podemos fazê-lo”, replicaram os judeus.32Assim se cumpriu a predição de Jesus acerca do modo como haveria de morrer.33Pilatos voltou para dentro do palácio e mandou que lhe levassem Jesus. “És o rei dos judeus?”, perguntou-lhe.34Jesus replicou: “Perguntas isso de ti mesmo ou são outros que o querem saber?”35“Sou porventura judeu?”, replicou Pilatos. “O teu povo e os principais sacerdotes é que te trouxeram aqui. Que fizeste?”36Então Jesus respondeu: “Não sou um rei terreno. Se o fosse, os meus discípulos teriam lutado, quando os judeus me prenderam. Mas o meu reino não é deste mundo.”37“Então és rei?”, perguntou Pilatos. Jesus respondeu: “Tens razão em dizer que sou rei. De facto, foi para isso que nasci. E vim para trazer a verdade ao mundo. Todos os que amam a verdade escutam a minha voz.”38“O que é a verdade?”, perguntou Pilatos. Tornando a sair ao povo, anunciou: “Ele não é culpado de crime algum.39Todavia, é vosso costume pedir-me que solte alguém da prisão todos os anos pela Páscoa.” E perguntou: “Então, não querem que vos solte o rei dos judeus?”40Mas eles, em alta gritaria, responderam: “Não! Não soltes este, mas sim Barrabás!” Barrabás era um salteador.
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. (2 Sm 15:23; Mt 26:30; Mt 26:36; Mc 14:26; Mc 14:32; Lc 22:39)2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. (Lc 21:37; Lc 22:39; Lc 22:40)3So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. (Mt 26:47; Mc 14:43; Lc 22:47)4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” (Jo 1:38; Jo 13:1; Jo 18:7; Jo 20:15)5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”[1] Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.6When Jesus[2] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (Mt 26:53; Jo 10:18; Ap 1:17)7So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” (Jo 18:4)8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” (Jo 17:12)10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant[3] and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) (Lc 22:38)11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (Is 51:22; Mt 20:22; Mt 26:39; Mt 26:42)
Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas
12So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews[4] arrested Jesus and bound him.13First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. (Mt 26:3; Mt 26:57; Lc 3:2; Jo 18:24; Jo 18:28; At 4:6)14It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (Jo 11:50)
Peter Denies Jesus
15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, (Mt 26:58; Mc 14:54; Lc 22:54)16but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. (Mt 26:69; Mc 14:66; Lc 22:55)17The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” (At 12:13)18Now the servants[5] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. (Mc 14:54; Jo 18:25)
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. (Mt 26:59; Mc 14:55; Lc 22:63)20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. (Is 45:19; Is 48:16; Mt 26:55; Jo 7:4; Jo 7:26; Jo 8:26)21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”22When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” (At 23:4)23Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”24Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (Jo 18:13)
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” (Mt 26:71; Mc 14:69; Lc 22:58)26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” (Jo 18:1; Jo 18:10)27Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. (Jo 13:38)
Jesus Before Pilate
28Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters.[6] It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. (Mt 27:2; Mt 27:27; Mc 15:1; Lc 23:1; Jo 11:55; Jo 18:24; Jo 18:33; Jo 19:9; Jo 19:14; At 10:28; At 11:3)29So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” (Mt 27:11; Mc 15:2; Lc 23:2)30They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” (Jo 19:6)32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. (Mt 20:19; Mt 26:2; Mc 10:33; Lc 18:32; Jo 12:32; Jo 13:18)
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (Jo 19:9; Jo 19:12)34Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”35Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (Dn 2:44; Dn 7:14; Dn 7:27; Mt 26:53; Lc 17:21; Jo 6:15; Jo 8:23; Jo 15:19; Jo 17:14; Jo 17:16; Jo 19:16; 1 Jo 2:16; 1 Jo 4:5)37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (Lc 22:70; Jo 3:11; Jo 3:32; Jo 5:31; Jo 8:13; Jo 8:18; Jo 8:47; Jo 10:16; Jo 10:27; Jo 12:27; Jo 16:28; Rm 14:9; 1 Jo 2:21; 1 Jo 3:19; 1 Jo 4:6)38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. (Lc 23:4; Jo 19:4; Jo 19:6)39But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” (Mt 27:15; Mt 27:20; Mc 15:6; Lc 23:18)40They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.[7] (At 3:14)