Bible Strands
John 18:6
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the arresting officers at Gethsemane immediately after they name Him "Jesus of Nazareth" and Judas stands among them.
The words — ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) translates literally as "I am" or "I myself am." ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon) means "they drew back" or retreated.
The thread — The physical collapse of the arresting party parallels the stumbling and falling of adversaries in Psalm 27:2 and the repulsion of those seeking harm in Psalm 70:2. The armed company context aligns with the captain and fifty men in 2 Kings 1:9.
Why it lands — The text records a physical reaction to Jesus' claim, requiring the reader to note how His self-identification interrupts human pursuit before the narrative resumes in John 18:7. The reader must observe the sequence of speech and reaction without adding theological commentary.
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
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Cross-references
- Psalms 27:2 When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
- Psalms 70:2 May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
- 2 Kings 1:9 Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’”
- Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,
- Luke 9:54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
- Psalms 40:14 May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
- Psalms 129:5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.