Devine Scripture

John 18:4

What does John 18:4 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:4 means

Jesus, fully aware of the suffering and events that were about to befall Him, took the initiative. Instead of hiding or fleeing, He purposefully stepped forward to meet His captors. His direct question, \"Whom seek ye?\" demonstrates His sovereign control over the situation, illustrating that He was not merely a victim but actively engaged in the unfolding of God's plan, even in His arrest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Jesus, having knowledge of everything which was coming on him, went forward and said to them, Who are you looking for?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that are coming upon him, having gone forth, said to them, `Whom do ye seek?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and said to them: Whom seek ye?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth and said to them, Whom seek ye?

Context

Building on the arrival of the arresting party, this verse immediately demonstrates Jesus' divine foresight and agency. He doesn't wait to be found but actively confronts His pursuers. This sets the tone for Jesus' demeanor throughout His trials, showing His composure and authority from the very beginning of His passion.

v.3Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

v.4This passage

v.5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:2

    Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

  • Matthew 16:21

    From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

  • John 10:17

    Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

  • Nehemiah 6:11

    And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

  • Acts 4:24

    And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

  • John 13:1

    Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

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