John 18:6
What does John 18:6 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:6 means
Upon Jesus’ declaration, \"I am he,\" a startling event occurs: the entire armed contingent recoiled, falling backward to the ground. This spontaneous reaction demonstrates the inherent divine power residing in Jesus, even as He stood ready to be arrested. It reveals that His arrest was not due to a lack of power, but a voluntary submission to the Father's will, a deliberate choice to allow the events to proceed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he said to them, I am he, they went back, falling to the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862when, therefore, he said to them--`I am <FI>he<Fi> ,' they went away backward, and fell to the ground.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward and fell to the ground.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When therefore he said to them, I am [he], they went away backward and fell to the ground.
Context
This verse provides a dramatic illustration of Jesus' divine authority, directly following His powerful pronouncement, \"I am he.\" This miraculous display momentarily stuns His captors, emphasizing that His subsequent arrest is a matter of His voluntary surrender, not their superior force. It precedes a repetition of the earlier question and Jesus' further assertion of control.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 1:9
Thenthe kingsent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he spake unto him, O man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
- Psalms 70:2
Let them be put to shame and confounded That seek after my soul: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt.
- Psalms 40:14
Let them be put to shame and confounded together That seek after my soul to destroy it: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt.
- Psalms 27:2
When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
- Psalms 129:5
Let them be put to shame and turned backward, All they that hate Zion.
- Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,
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