Bible Strands
John 18:4
Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus steps forward to the band of soldiers and chief priests' officers gathered in the garden with lanterns and weapons. He initiates the confrontation by asking them whom they are seeking.
The words — εἰδὼς (eidōs) means "knowing," and πάντα ἐρχόμενα (panta erchomena) translates literally to "all things are coming." These terms state Jesus' conscious awareness of the events unfolding upon Him before any inference about His divinity.
The thread — This awareness of His impending hour appears in John 13:1, where Jesus knows it is time to leave the world. The same question is repeated in John 18:7, while Psalm 27:3 parallels the posture of remaining unafraid despite an encamped army.
Why it lands — It demands recognition that the arrest proceeds under Jesus' deliberate knowledge rather than surprise or victimhood. It calls the reader to accept the plain assertion of His sovereign control before moving to doctrinal application.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
Cross-references
- John 13:1 It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.
- John 18:7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
- Psalms 27:3 Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.
- Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’
- Acts 20:22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
- 1 Kings 18:10 As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you.
- 1 Kings 18:14 And now you say, ‘Go tell your lord that Elijah is here!’ He will kill me!”
- Nehemiah 6:11 But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”
- Psalms 3:6 I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.
- Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.