After Jesus finished his supper and prayer for the disciples, he crossed the brook of Kidron and went up the mount of Olives. This is significant because King David also crossed the same stream and went to the same place after he was betrayed by his son Absalom, who had tried to overthrow him. 

Judas shows up with a band of soldiers and priests carrying lanterns and torches and weapons. Not much good happens at night with crowds carrying torches. Jesus asks who they are looking for and he agrees to go with them, as long as they leave his friends alone. 

Peter tries to stop them with his sword and only manages to cut the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus stops Peter, and goes with them. They take him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the priest who had said it is better for one to die for the nation. 

Peter and another disciple followed Jesus, but Peter hangs back outside the door. A girl asked if Peter was one of the disciples, and he said he was not. Peter went from swinging sword to lying to child blend in within minutes. 

The priests started questioning Jesus. Jesus asks them why when he publicly spoke in the temple in the day, they took him at night. A soldier hit him for talking back. Jesus asked why he was punished for speaking truth. 

Meanwhile, Peter is standing by the fire and two men say that they recognize him as a disciple, but he denies them both. The rooster crows and Peter is reminded of his betrayal. He didn’t sell Jesus out for money, but backed off when things were looking bad personally. It reminds me of people who switch sides to match the current political climate. 

The priests take Jesus to the Roman governor’s house, but do not enter because they want to remain religiously clean for the Passover. Pilate interacts with them outside. He asks what they want and they ask him to put Jesus to death since they don’t have the power. They want Pilate to do their dirty work for them. 

Pilate brings Jesus inside and questions Jesus alone, asking him if he is the king of the Jews, he says others say so. Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world. So, you are a king, Pilate asks. Jesus tells him that, “Everyone who is of truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asks, “What is truth?”

Pilate returns Jesus saying he cannot find fault with him. He offers to free one prisoner for their holiday. They ask for the insurrectionist Barrabas. They trade a man of peace for a man of chaos.