Devine Scripture

John 18:5

What does John 18:5 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:5 means

The arresting party declares their target: \"Jesus of Nazareth.\" In response, Jesus unequivocally states, \"I am he.\" The use of \"I am he\" (ego eimi in Greek) echoes the divine name God revealed to Moses, subtly asserting His deity even in this vulnerable moment. The presence of Judas among them, silently observing, adds a layer of tragic irony to this encounter of divine power and human betrayal.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Their answer was, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said, I am he. And Judas, who was false to him, was there at their side.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

they answered him, `Jesus the Nazarene;' Jesus saith to them, `I am <FI>he<Fi> ;' --and Judas who delivered him up was standing with them; --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They answered him, Jesus the Nazaraean. Jesus says to them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who delivered him up, stood with them.

Context

This verse directly follows Jesus' question, providing the critical exchange that reveals His identity to His captors. It is immediately followed by a powerful display of Jesus' inherent authority, making this declaration of \"I am he\" particularly impactful. Judas's presence reinforces the nature of the betrayal.

v.4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

v.5This passage

v.6When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 8:12

    Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall; in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah.

  • Isaiah 3:9

    The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have done evil unto themselves.

  • Matthew 2:23

    and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

  • John 1:46

    And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

  • John 19:19

    And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • Matthew 21:11

    And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

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