John 18:5
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθησαν
They answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθησαν
They answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 20
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ναζωραῖον
of Nazareth
G3480
Ναζωραῖον
of Nazareth
Strong's:
G3480
Word #:
5 of 20
a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἱστήκει
stood
G2476
εἱστήκει
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
12 of 20
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
15 of 20
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
This occurred in Gethsemane across the Kidron Valley (18:1), likely Thursday evening before Passover, AD 30 or 33. The arresting party included Roman soldiers (σπεῖρα, speira—a cohort of 600 men), temple guards, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. Their torches and weapons contrast sharply with Jesus's divine authority.
Questions for Reflection
- When Jesus speaks His divine name causing enemies to fall, what does this reveal about His voluntary submission to arrest?
- How does Judas's physical position 'with them' illustrate the spiritual reality of choosing sides in relation to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I am he (ἐγώ εἰμι, ego eimi)—Jesus responds to the arresting party with the very name of Yahweh from Exodus 3:14, causing them to fall backward (verse 6). This is no mere identification but a theophanic self-revelation of divine majesty. The phrase echoes Jesus's seven absolute 'I AM' statements in John's Gospel, each unveiling His deity.
Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them—The tragic positioning: the betrayer stands with Christ's enemies, not His disciples. John emphasizes παραδιδόντα (paradidonta, 'the one betraying'), using the present participle to stress the ongoing nature of Judas's treachery. Yet even facing arrest, Jesus sovereignly controls the encounter, asking 'Whom seek ye?' though He already knew (18:4). The Shepherd protects His sheep even as He lays down His life willingly (10:11, 18).