The Daily Audio Bible

Jesus is arrested

⁴⁷ While Jesus was still speaking, there was Judas, one of the Twelve. He had come with a large crowd, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ The one who was intending to betray him gave them a sign: “The one I kiss—that’s him! Grab hold of him!”

⁴⁹ So he went up at once to Jesus and said “Greetings, Teacher!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ “My friend,” said Jesus, “what have you come to do?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.

⁵¹ At that, one of the men with Jesus reached out his hand, drew his sword and hit the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back where it belongs!” said Jesus to him. “People who use the sword die by the sword! ⁵³ Don’t you realize that I could call on my father and have him send me more than twelve legions of angels, just like that? ⁵⁴ But how then can the Bible come true when it says this has to happen?”

⁵⁵ At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you really come out with swords and sticks to arrest me, as if I were some kind of brigand? I sat there teaching in the Temple every day, and you didn’t lay hands on me! ⁵⁶ But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.

Jesus before Caiaphas

⁵⁷ The people who had seized Jesus took him off to Caiaphas the high priest. The scribes and elders had already gathered at his house. ⁵⁸ Peter, however, followed him at some distance, all the way to the high priest’s residence. He went in and sat with the servants, to see how things would work out.

⁵⁹ The high priest and the whole council tried to produce false evidence against Jesus, to frame a capital charge and have him killed. ⁶⁰ But even though they brought in plenty of lying witnesses, they couldn’t find the evidence they wanted. Finally two people came forward ⁶¹ and declared: “This fellow said, ‘I can destroy God’s Temple and build it again in three days!’ ”

⁶² Then the high priest stood up.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” he said to him. “What are these people accusing you of?”

⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to him, “I put you on oath before the living God: tell us if you are the Messiah, God’s son!”

⁶⁴ “You said the words,” replied Jesus. “But let me tell you this: from now on you will see ‘the son of man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ ”

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his robes. “He’s blasphemed!” he said. “Why do we need any more witnesses? Look—you’ve heard his blasphemy, here and now! ⁶⁶ What’s your verdict?”

“He deserves to die,” they answered.

⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and hit him. Some of them slapped him, ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy for us, Mr. Messiah! Who was it who hit you?”