Bible Strands
John 18:8
“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the armed detachment and temple officials who have repeatedly demanded Jesus of Nazareth in the garden. He responds to their inquiry by affirming His identity and ordering the release of His companions.
The words — ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) translates literally as "I am [He]." This declaration follows Jesus' prior statement, εἶπον (eipon), meaning "I have told."
The thread — The text's assertion of protective authority runs parallel to John 10:28, where Jesus states that no one can snatch His followers from His hand. It directly fulfills the pattern noted in John 18:9 that He has not lost any of those given to Him.
Why it lands — The passage records Jesus actively directing the arrest rather than passively submitting to human power. It requires the reader to acknowledge that the preservation of His followers depends on His sovereign word, not on external circumstances.
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 answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Cross-references
- John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
- 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.
- 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
- Matthew 26:56 But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
- Mark 14:50 Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
- John 13:36 “Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”
- John 16:32 “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.