John 18:1–29
1After speaking these words, Jesus went out with his disciples over the brook [called] Kidron. A garden was there and he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew about the place because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3Judas then, having taken a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4Jesus, therefore, knowing all that was happening to him, went forward and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
5They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”
Judas (who betrayed him), was also standing with them. 6Now, when Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.
7Again, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. Therefore, if you are looking for me, let these [my disciples] go their way.” 9[He said this] so that the word which he had spoken (“Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none”) might be fulfilled.
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12At this, the band of soldiers, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews took hold of Jesus and bound him. 13They first led him to Annas because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. 14Now, it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better that one man should perish for the [entire] people.
15Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now, that disciple was known to the high priest and entered in with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16But Peter was standing at the door outside. So, the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the woman who guarded the door, and brought Peter in. 17Then the servant-girl who kept the door asked Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?”
Peter replied, “I am not!”
18Now, it was cold, and the servants and officers were standing there, around a charcoal fire they had made. As they were warming themselves, Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
19Meanwhile, the high priest asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret! 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I told them. Behold, these people know what I said.”
22When Jesus had said this, one of the officers who was standing by slapped him with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
23Jesus replied, “If I have spoken evil, testify to the evil; but if [I have spoken] well, why do you strike me?”
24Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the [ruling] high priest. 25Now, while Simon Peter was standing and warming himself, people said to him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?”
Peter denied it, and said, “I am not!”
26One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did not I see you in the garden with him?”
27At this, Peter denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.
28Then, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was early, and the Jews themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order not to be made ritually impure and to be able to eat the Passover. 29For this reason, Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
You will hear this Gospel read at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church during Holy Week, on Great and Holy Thursday. It is followed by the Gospel reading from Matthew 26:57–75.
Details
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.
About us. We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
All services are in the English language and the Service of Holy Thursday is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.
Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.