John 18:6 Jesus said "I am He" and they fall to ground

LittleLambofJesus

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Why did those coming to arrest Jesus, draw back and fall on the ground just because He said "I am He"? Thanks

John 18:
3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.
They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
Jesus said, “I AM He.”
And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them.

6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8 “I told you that I AM /egw eimi He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”
 

Kevin Snow

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The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!

~Psalm 110:2

He fulfilled this scripture in that moment. He showed that he was God even in the presence of his enemies. They could not even stand before him. But they were allowed to take him so that the scripture would be fulfilled. Also remember how Judas Iscariot kissed him?

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. ~Psalm 2:12

In that this scripture was fulfilled for he feared him even though he feared man more in the present moment, he most certainly was afraid of Yahshua.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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In that this scripture was fulfilled for he feared him even though he feared man more in the present moment, he most certainly was afraid of Yahshua.
I don't think there is any indication that the betrayer was afraid of either Yahshua Hamashiach nor of man.
 
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Kevin Snow

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I don't think there is any indication that the betrayer was afraid of either Yahshua Hamashiach nor of man.
I tell you that if he had not kissed him, he would have died on the way. But for fear overcoming him, he kissed him.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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I tell you that if he had not kissed him, he would have died on the way. But for fear overcoming him, he kissed him.
That doesn't make sense to me the way it reads. I don't see it referring to him being afraid at any time to Jesus nor to man.

Perhaps there is some bigger/other teaching involved/ behind this ?
 
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TheBibleIsTruth

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Why did those coming to arrest Jesus, draw back and fall on the ground just because He said "I am He"? Thanks

John 18:
3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.
They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
Jesus said, “I AM He.”
And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them.

6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8 “I told you that I AM /egw eimi He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”

Actually, Jesus answers in verse 5 and 8 by "Ἐγώ εἰμι", which is literally, "I AM", there is no corresponding Greek word for "he".

When Jesus was walking on the sea, and the Disciples saw Him and were afraid, " But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". The English is "it is I", however, the Greek is, "ἐγώ εἰμι" (I AM)
 
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Halbhh

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Why did those coming to arrest Jesus, draw back and fall on the ground just because He said "I am He"? Thanks

John 18:
3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.
They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
Jesus said, “I AM He.”
And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them.

6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8 “I told you that I AM /egw eimi He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”

Perhaps because of how He said it -- the "I AM He" spoken with the voice that speaks perfect Truth by the One Who was/is one with God! Remember:
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
 
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TuxAme

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I think it was a show of divine authority. The last time Jesus made an "I Am" proclamation, the Jews sought to stone Him. I don't believe that they were "receptive" to it this time- after all, they still took him to Pilate. I think that their "falling" wasn't of their own will, but imposed on them by God.
 
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LittleLambofJesus

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Perhaps because of how He said it -- the "I AM He" spoken with the voice that speaks perfect Truth by the One Who was/is one with God! Remember:
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
Actually, Jesus answers in verse 5 and 8 by "Ἐγώ εἰμι", which is literally, "I AM", there is no corresponding Greek word for "he".

When Jesus was walking on the sea, and the Disciples saw Him and were afraid, " But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". The English is "it is I", however, the Greek is, "ἐγώ εἰμι" (I AM)
Thanks for posting.
I tried to look up where the Greek words "Ἐγώ εἰμι" were used together when I was translating Revelation 1:8.
Here are the links to it and perhaps you can provide some input on Revelation. Thanks

Revelation Chapter 1 Verses

Reve 1:8
I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> to a*** kai to w a..................

Reve 1:17
And when I saw him, I did fall at his feet as dead, and he placed his right hand upon me, saying to me, 'Be not afraid; I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the First and the Last,

Reve 2:23
and her children I will kill in death,
and know shall all the assemblies that I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He who is searching reins and hearts; and I will give to you -- to each -- according to your works
.

Reve 22:16
'I, Jesus did send my messenger to testify to you these things concerning the assemblies;
I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star!


Revelation Chapter 1 Verses

Matthew:

Matt 14:27 and immediately Jesus spake to them, saying 'Be of good courage!
I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He, be not afraid.' [same as in Mark 6:50...Jesus walking on water event]

Matt 22:30
I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? [Exodus 3:6]
God is not a God of dead men, but of living
.' [concerning the resurrection]

Matt 24:5
for many shall come in my name, saying, I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the Christ,
and they shall lead many astray, [same as Mark 13:6]

Mark

Mark 6:50
for they all saw Him, and were troubled, and immediately He spake with them and saith to them, "Take courage, I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He, be not afraid. [same event as in Matthew 14:27]

Mark 13:6
Many will come in my name and say, I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He/Christ
t
and they will deceive many people.
[ same as Matthew 24:5. Some versions leave out "Christ" in this verse]

Mark 14:19
They began to be very sad and asked him, one after the other, "Surely I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> not the one, am I?" [same as Matthew 26:22]

Mark 14:62
and Jesus said, 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510>
and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming with the clouds, of the heaven.'
[Jesus being question by the High Priest before the Jewish Sanhedrin]

Luke

Luke 1:19
The angel answered him, "I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

Luke 21:8
And he said, 'See -- ye may not be led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying -- I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He/Christ, and the time hath come nigh; go not on then after them; [same as Matt 24:5 and Mark 13:6]

Luke 22:70
And they all said, "Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them".
Ye say that I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510>
. [Mark 14:62]

Luke 24:39
see My hands and My feet, that I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He;
handle Me and see, because a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me having.
' [John 20:27]

I am going to post what I have just done and continue on with the rest of the verses......

A lot of John coming up..........

Revelation Chapter 1 Verses

Reve 1:8
I AM being the Alpha and the Omega........... the Almighty!

John

John 4:26
Jesus saith to her, "I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He who am speaking to thee" [woman at the well]
John 6:20 and He saith to them, 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He, be not afraid" [Jesus walking on water]

The Bread from Heaven:

John 6:
35 And Jesus said to them, 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the bread of the life;
he who is coming unto Me may not hunger, and he who is believing in Me may not thirst -- at any time
;
41 The Jews, therefore, were murmuring at Him, because he said, ''I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the bread that came down out of the heaven;'
48 ''I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the bread of the life";
51 ''I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the living bread that came down out of the heaven; if any one may eat of this bread he shall live -- to the age;
and the bread also that I will give is My flesh, that I will give for the life of the world.'

John 8:12 Again, therefore, Jesus spake to them, saying, 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the light of the world; he who is following Me shall not walk in the darkness, but he shall have the light of the life.'

John 8:28 Jesus, therefore, said to them, 'When ye may lift up the Son of Man then ye will know that I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He;
and of Myself I do nothing, but according as My Father did teach me, these things I speak
;

Sheep pen, Door and Shepherd

John 10:
7 Jesus said therefore again to them, 'Verily, verily, I say to you --I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the door of the sheep;
9 I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the door, through Me if any one may come in, he shall be saved and he shall come in and go out and find pasture.

11 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the good shepherd; the good shepherd his life layeth down for the sheep;
14 I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> the good shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known by Mine,

John 13:19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He.

John 15:5 they answered Him, 'Jesus the Nazarene;'
Jesus saith to them, 'I/egw<1473> AM/eimi<1510> He;' --
and Judas who delivered Him up was standing with them; --
 
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LittleLambofJesus

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Actually, Jesus answers in verse 5 and 8 by "Ἐγώ εἰμι", which is literally, "I AM", there is no corresponding Greek word for "he".

When Jesus was walking on the sea, and the Disciples saw Him and were afraid, " But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". The English is "it is I", however, the Greek is, "ἐγώ εἰμι" (I AM)
Your right.
I didn't notice that. Thanks.

John 18:
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
Jesus said, “I AM.”
And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them.

apekriqhsan autw ihsoun ton nazwraion legei autoiV o ihsous egw eimi
eisthkei de kai ioudaV o paradidouV auton met autwn

8 “I told you that I AM /egw eimi” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”

apekriqh o ihsouV eipon umin oti egw eimi
ei oun eme zhteite afete toutouV upagein
 
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Hank77

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I don't think there is any indication that the betrayer was afraid of either Yahshua Hamashiach nor of man.
I don't think that he was afraid of Jesus. I do think the kiss was just a "sign" so that the Jewish leaders men could make a positive ID.

sussémon: a fixed sign
Original Word: σύσσημον, ου, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: sussémon
Phonetic Spelling: (soos'-say-mon)
Short Definition: a signal agreed upon
Definition: a signal agreed upon.

I searched the old commentaries that I have found the authors to be very reliable at finding any prophetic significance and they didn't mention any.
Of coarse they could have missed something.
 
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paul1149

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The lack of a "He" doesn't necessarily mean anything. Greek is full of merely implying the object or predicate nominative. And the mere words, "I am He" I doubt would have moved anyone. Probably there were Jewish temple guards along with the Roman soldiers, who would have known the implications of the formulation, and they were the ones to fall back, I would think in fear.

But it still seems hard to understand how mere words would do that. The phrase is common enough that it wouldn't necessarily have any spiritual connotation.

There's another possibility. Luke 22.43 tells us that immediately prior to this, during His prayer in the garden, an angel came and "strengthened" Jesus. There are a couple of times at least, where someone came away from a divine encounter with a supernatural glow about him. Moses after meeting with God was one, and it happened routinely, and Jesus both on and coming down from the mount of transfiguration was another. So maybe Jesus had a supernatural glow about Him that put the words in a spiritual context and stuck fear in the hearers. It would not have even been necessarily a physical glow, but it could have merely radiated from His eyes.

This is speculation, but it seems to make sense to me, and I have no other explanation.
 
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brinny

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Why did those coming to arrest Jesus, draw back and fall on the ground just because He said "I am He"? Thanks

John 18:
3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.
They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
Jesus said, “I AM He.”
And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them.

6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
8 “I told you that I AM /egw eimi He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
9 This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”

That's a question i have mulled over, and never quite understood why they did fall over onto the ground.

Interesting.

i mean they literally "fell" to the ground. That takes some force, doesn't it?
 
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Why did those coming to arrest Jesus, draw back and fall on the ground just because He said "I am He"?

Difficult question, because Bible doesn’t tell the reason. I believe it happened because Jesus answered impressively and perhaps they were afraid that there could happen something.
 
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