World English Bible · Under Rome
John 18
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When had spoken these words, he went out with his over the brook , where there was a garden, into which he and his entered. Now , who betrayed him, also knew the place, for often met there with his . then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the and the , came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, "Who are you looking for?" They answered him, " of ." said to them, "I am he." also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said to them, "I am he," they went backward and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They said, " of ." answered, "I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way," that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, "Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none." therefore, having a , drew it, struck the servant, and his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. therefore said to , "Put into its sheath. which has given me, shall I not surely drink it?" So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the seized and bound him, and led him to Annas first, for he was -in-law to , who was that year. Now it was who advised the that it was expedient that one man should for the people. followed , as did another . Now that was known to the , and entered in with into the court of the ; but was standing at the door outside. So the other , who was known to the , went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in . Then the maid who kept the door said to , "Are you also one of this man's ?" He said, "I am not." Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. was with them, standing and warming himself. The therefore asked about his and about his teaching. answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in and in , where the always meet. I said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said." When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped with his hand, saying, "Do you answer the like that?" answered him, "If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?" Annas sent him bound to , the . Now was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, "You aren't also one of his , are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the servants of the , being a relative of him whose ear had , said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?" therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed. They led therefore from into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn't enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat . therefore went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered him, "If this man weren't an evildoer, we wouldn't have him up to you." therefore said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to ." Therefore the said to him, "It is illegal for us to put anyone to ," that the word of might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of he should . therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called , and said to him, "Are you the King of the ?" 34 answered him, "Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?" answered, "I'm not a , am I? Your own nation and the you to me. What have you done?" answered, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be to the . But now my Kingdom is not from here." therefore said to him, "Are you a king then?" answered, "You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the , and said to them, "I find no basis for a charge against him. But you have a custom that I should someone to you at . Therefore, do you want me to to you the King of the ?" Then they all shouted again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
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The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.