- 1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
- 2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
- 3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
- 4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
- 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
- 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
- 7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
- 8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
- 9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
- 10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
- 11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
- 12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
- 13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
- 14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
- 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
- 16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
- 17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
- 18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
- 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
- 20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
- 21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
- 22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
- 23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
- 24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
- 25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
- 26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
- 27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
- 28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
- 29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
- 30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
- 31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
- 32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
- 33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
- 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
- 35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
- 36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
- 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
- 38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
- 39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
- 40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
KING JAMES VERSION
JOHN 18
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
John 18 — Whom Seek Ye? gathers the chapter’s central movement as Jesus’s identity, authority, mercy, and saving mission are revealed.
About this illustration
The illustration centers jesus stands calmly before torch-bearing officers as they draw back and Peter lowers a sword. Other events and teachings remain in the chapter text rather than being crowded into one scene.
Scripture basis: John 18:1–40King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
Approximately AD 26–36
The Pilate Stone
A damaged Latin building dedication from Caesarea preserves Pontius Pilate's name and contemporary title, Prefect of Judaea, anchoring the Gospel governor in the administrative center and titulature of Roman Judaea.
Luke 3:1 · Matthew 27:1–26 · Mark 15:1–15
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Second or early third century AD; narrower dates remain disputed
Rylands Library Papyrus P52
A palm-sized two-sided leaf fragment preserves John 18 in Greek and proves an early Egyptian codex of the Fourth Gospel existed, but its tiny handwriting sample cannot sustain the precise dates or sweeping composition claims often attached to it.
John 18:31–33 · John 18:37–38
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
AD 29–32
Coins Issued Under Pontius Pilate
Small bronze issues dated by Tiberius's regnal years to AD 29–32 provide year-specific administrative evidence for Pilate's Judaean prefecture and its Roman ritual imagery, while neither naming Jesus nor recording his trial.
Luke 3:1 · Matthew 27:1–26 · John 18:28–38
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Late first century BC–AD 70
The Herodian Quarter’s Priestly Mansions
Six richly appointed residences on Jerusalem’s western hill reveal the wealth, Romanizing taste, and purity practices of the late Second Temple elite, but the conventional label priestly mansions does not identify any building as the house of Annas or Caiaphas.
John 18:13–24
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
AD 359
The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
Dated by inscription to AD 359, the monumental marble coffin of Rome's urban prefect Junius Bassus integrates ten biblical scenes with Roman elite art, revealing a newly baptized official's Christian funerary hope rather than illustrating one continuous narrative.
Matthew 21:1–11 · John 18:28–38
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Second century AD
Papyrus P90 of John
P90, P.Oxy. L 3523, is a small late-second-century codex leaf of John 18:36-19:7 from Oxyrhynchus whose two written sides preserve the trial before Pilate while sharply limiting claims about provenance, date precision, and textual family.
John 18:36–40 · John 19:1–7
View all 11 archaeology resources
- Papyrus P60: John 16:30 in a Greek Witness
- Papyrus P108: John 17:23–24 and 18:1–5
- Gethsemane Early Roman Ritual Bath and Later Church
- Uncial 087 and 092b: Dispersed Gospel Fragments from Sinai
- Codex Palatinus (VL 2): Purple Old Latin Gospels
Prophecy Events
Sermons
Demonstrations of the Holy Ghost Power
Pastor Dean Odle calls the church to seek the genuine power and presence of the Holy Spirit while rejecting occult counterfeits and contemplative practices. He surveys biblical symbols of the Spirit, the meaning of divine power, Jesus’ miracles, the gifts described in Acts and 1 Corinthians, and the repeated manifestations that accompanied apostolic ministry. His thesis is that Christian faith should rest not merely in persuasive speech but in the demonstrated power of God.
Holy Spirit and Spiritual GiftsSpiritual WarfareDoctrine and DiscernmentHealing and MiraclesChurch and Ministry
View sermon The Gift of Tongues
In “The Gift of Tongues,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about gifts of the Holy Spirit, holiness, the Holy Spirit. Drawing especially from Acts 2, John 18, Acts 2:19, Mark 16:1, the teaching emphasizes that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to build up the church and serve God’s purposes. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness.
Doctrine and DiscernmentHoly Spirit and Spiritual GiftsChristian Living
View sermon Knowing the Voice of the Lord
Dean Odle teaches that hearing the Lord is a normal part of Spirit-led Christianity, but every impression must be tested by Scripture. He places the lesson after teachings on knowing Jesus and the Holy Spirit because spiritual guidance must grow from relationship with Christ rather than from technique. Through John, Acts, and 1 Samuel, he distinguishes the Spirit’s inward witness from rare audible speech, ordinary human thoughts, emotional pressure, and manipulative claims made by other people. Samuel’s initial failure to recognize God’s voice shows that discernment can develop through repetition and mature help.
Holy Spirit and Spiritual GiftsDoctrine and DiscernmentPrayer and RevivalChristian LivingScripture Alone
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 4 sermons