The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, also known as the Jefferson Bible, is a compilation of excerpts from the four Gospels of the New Testament, created by Thomas Jefferson. In Chapter 16, the text recounts the events leading up to the arrest and trial of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The chapter starts with Jesus and his disciples crossing the brook Cedron to a garden, where Judas arrives with a group of men sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to apprehend Jesus. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus is taken into custody. The text goes on to describe how Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted. Jesus is then brought before the high priest Caiaphas, where false witnesses accuse him of blasphemy. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Jesus is condemned to death. Pilate, the Roman governor, questions Jesus but finds no fault in him. Pilate's attempts to release Jesus are thwarted by the crowd, and he ultimately agrees to have Jesus crucified. The chapter concludes with Jesus being led away to be crucified, illustrating the betrayal, denial, and injustice that ultimately lead to Jesus' crucifixion and death.
