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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When Jesus said to them, "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.

Context of John 18:6

4Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, “Who are you looking for?” 5They answered him, “Jesus from Nazareth.” Jesus told them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with the crowd. When Jesus told them, “I am he,” the crowd backed away and fell to the ground. 7Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus from Nazareth.” 8Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these other 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 1:9The king sent an army officer with 50 men to Elijah. When the officer found Elijah sitting on top of a hill, he told Elijah, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’ ”
• Psalms 27:2Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces. My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell.
• Psalms 40:14Let all those who seek to end my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced.
• Psalms 70:2Let those who seek my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced.
• Psalms 129:5Put to shame all those who hate Zion. Force them to retreat.
• Luke 9:54James and John, his disciples, saw this. They asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”
• Acts 4:29“Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly.

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