John 18:6
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
As soon
G5613
ὡς
As soon
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 14
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 14
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
ὅτι
G3754
ἀπῆλθον
he they went
G565
ἀπῆλθον
he they went
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
8 of 14
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
εἰς
backward
G1519
εἰς
backward
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 14
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀπίσω
G3694
ὀπίσω
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
11 of 14
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
Historical Context
John alone records this detail. A Roman cohort (σπεῖρα, speira) numbered 600 soldiers, plus temple guards. The Kidron valley setting, at night, with torches and weapons, shows overwhelming force—yet they fall powerless. This demonstrates that Jesus was not a victim but the sovereign Lord orchestrating His own sacrifice according to divine decree (Acts 2:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's voluntary surrender to death, despite His power to resist, demonstrate the nature of true love and sacrifice?
- What does the soldiers' physical response to 'I AM' reveal about Christ's true identity, even when His followers doubted?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he (ἐγώ εἰμι, egō eimi)—When Jesus spoke the divine name, the arresting cohort went backward, and fell to the ground. This is not mere stumbling but a demonstration of divine power: Jesus speaks egō eimi ("I AM," echoing Exodus 3:14), and armed soldiers collapse helpless before Him.
John emphasizes that Christ's arrest was voluntary, not forced. He who could flatten a Roman cohort with a word chose to lay down His life (10:18). The physical prostration foreshadows Philippians 2:10—every knee shall bow. Even His enemies' bodies confess His deity before their hearts deny it.