John 18:6

John 18:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
• New International Version (NIV)When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
• New Living Translation (NLT)As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

Context of John 18:6

4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go."

John 18:6 word by word

ὡς οὖν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἐγώ εἰμι, ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ ἔπεσαν χαμαί.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• As soonὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• as he had saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• ·ὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• amεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• they wentἀπέρχομαιaperchomai · to go awayG565
• ·εἰςeis · towardG1519
• backwardὀπίσωopisō · afterG3694
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• fellπίπτωpiptō petō · to collapseG4098
• to the groundχαμαίchamai · on the groundG5476

Cross-references for John 18:6

• 2 Kings 1:9Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "O man of God, the king says, 'Come down.'"
• Psalms 27:2When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
• Psalms 40:14Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
• Psalms 70:2Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
• Psalms 129:5May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
• Luke 9:54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"
• Acts 4:29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

Commentaries on John 18:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6They went backward, and fell to the ground - None of the other evangelists mentions this very important circumstance. Our Lord chose to give them this proof of his infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against him if he chose to exert his might, seeing that the very breath of his mouth confounded, drove back, and struck them down to the earth. Thus by the blast of God they might have perished, and by the breath of his…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6They went backward … - The cause of their retiring in this manner is not mentioned. Various things might have produced it. The frank, open, and fearless manner in which Jesus addressed them may have convinced them of his innocence, and deterred them from prosecuting their wicked attempt. His disclosure of himself was sudden and unexpected; and while they perhaps anticipated that he would make an effort to escape, they were amazed at his open and bold…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6All the soldiers and guards fell back before the Lord (compare Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 10:9; Acts 9:4; Revelation 1:17). Even the Roman soldiers, who were trained to stand firm, fell to the ground before Christ. They did this to show submission, but they did not fully understand what had happened and went on with the arrest.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-94-9. Jesus ... knowing all things that should come--were coming. upon him, went forth--from the shade of the trees, probably, into open view, indicating His sublime preparedness to meet His captors. Whom seek ye?--partly to prevent a rush of the soldiery upon the disciples [Bengel]; and see Mr 14:51, 52, as showing a tendency to this: but still more as part of that courage and majesty which so overawed them. He would not wait to be taken.Read the comment

Topics related to John 18:6

• Jesus, the Christ
• Prisoners
• Prophecy
• Traitor

In the dictionaries

• Judge
• Resort
• Cohort
• Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ, the Arrest and Trial of
• John, Gospel of

Commentaries on John 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings