Devine Scripture

John 18:8

What does John 18:8 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:8 means

Jesus reiterates His identity, affirming, \"I told you that I am he.\" Then, displaying His shepherd's heart and divine authority, He instructs His captors to let His disciples go, saying, \"if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.\" This act prioritizes the safety and freedom of His followers, demonstrating His protective love and sovereign control even in His own moment of arrest. He offers Himself as a substitute for them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus made answer, I have said that I am he; if you are looking for me, let these men go away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus answered, `I said to you that I am <FI>he<Fi> ; if, then, me ye seek, suffer these to go away;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus answered: I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus answered, I told you that I am [he]: if therefore ye seek me, let these go away;

Context

Following the repeated exchange with His captors, this verse highlights Jesus' protective care for His disciples. It directly shows Him negotiating their release, underscoring His self-sacrificial nature. This statement is then immediately connected to a fulfilled prophecy concerning the preservation of His disciples.

v.7Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

v.8This passage

v.9that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.

Cross references

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

  • John 10:28

    and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • John 13:36

    Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

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