“’You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”

1. Read verse 1. Where did Jesus and his disciples go, and why? (See Mt 26:38,39) Read verses 2-11. Describe Jesus’ arrest. What does this event reveal about Jesus? (4-6)

2. What was Jesus’ first concern at this time of crisis? (8; 17:11; 18:9,11) How was Peter different from Jesus at a time of crisis? Why? What did Jesus mean by “the cup the Father has given me”? (2-11)

3. Read verses 15-18. What reveals Peter’s unprepared heart? What did he do after denying Jesus the first time? Why? (How did Jesus help him later?--Jn 21:15)

4. Where was Jesus taken? (12-14) Who was Annas? Caiaphas? (11:49,50) Read verses 19-24. What did Annas question Jesus about? How did Jesus protect his disciples? Who struck Jesus? Why? How did Jesus defeat his inquisitors?

5. Describe Peter’s second and third denials (25-27). What shows his lack of resurrection faith? Read verses 24, 28. Compare Mt 26:57,67; 27:2. What happened to Jesus before the Sanhedirn and Caiaphas?

6. Read about the trial before Pilate (28-40). How did the Jews show their hypocrisy? (28-32). What did Jesus reveal about himself in his conversation with Pilate? What was Pilate’s dilemma? His weakness?(33-38)

7. How and why was Jesus flogged and his kingship mocked? Why is Pilate guilty of Jesus’ death? Why are the chief priests guilty? Why are we guilty? (2Co 5:10; Isa 53:6; 1Pe 2:24; Jn 10:11)