John 18:6
New International Version
When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

New Living Translation
As Jesus said “ I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

English Standard Version
When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore when He said to them, "I am He," they drew toward the back and fell to the ground.

King James Bible
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

New King James Version
Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

New American Standard Bible
Now then, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

NASB 1995
So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

NASB 1977
When therefore He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back, and fell to the ground.

Legacy Standard Bible
So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Amplified Bible
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Christian Standard Bible
When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He told them, “I am He,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

American Standard Version
When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Contemporary English Version
At once they all backed away and fell to the ground.

English Revised Version
When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Jesus told them, "I am he," the crowd backed away and fell to the ground.

Good News Translation
When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they moved back and fell to the ground.

International Standard Version
When Jesus told them, "I AM," they backed away and fell to the ground.

Majority Standard Bible
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

NET Bible
So when Jesus said to them, "I am he," they retreated and fell to the ground.

New Heart English Bible
When therefore he said to them, "I AM," they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Webster's Bible Translation
As soon then as he had said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Weymouth New Testament
As soon then as He said to them, "I am he," they went backwards and fell to the ground.

World English Bible
When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward and fell to the ground.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When, therefore, He said to them, “I AM,” they went away backward, and fell to the ground.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore when He said to them, "I am He," they drew toward the back and fell to the ground.

Young's Literal Translation
when, therefore, he said to them -- 'I am he,' they went away backward, and fell to the ground.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then, when he said to them, That I am, they went away backward, and fell to the ground.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when he said to them, “I am he,” they moved back and fell to the ground.

New American Bible
When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground.

New Revised Standard Version
When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when Yeshua said to them, “I AM THE LIVING GOD”, they went backward and fell to the ground.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then, when he said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Godbey New Testament
Then when He said to them, I am He, they went back, and fell on the ground.

Haweis New Testament
As he then spake to them, I am he, they retreated backward, and fell flat on the ground.

Mace New Testament
upon Jesus his saying to them, I am he, they fell backward to the ground.

Weymouth New Testament
As soon then as He said to them, "I am he," they went backwards and fell to the ground.

Worrell New Testament
When, therefore, He said to them, "I am He," they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Worsley New Testament
Now as soon as He said unto them, I am He, they went backwards and fell to the ground.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.…

Cross References
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Psalm 40:14
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.

Psalm 56:9
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

Psalm 72:9
May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”

Isaiah 50:11
Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment.

Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Daniel 2:46
At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.

Daniel 10:9
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

Matthew 28:4
The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

Mark 14:62
“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Luke 4:30
But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way.


Treasury of Scripture

As soon then as he had said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

they went.

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down…

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psalm 40:14
Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

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Backward Backwards Drew Earth Falling Fell Ground Jesus Soon
John 18
1. Judas betrays Jesus.
6. The officers fall to the ground.
10. Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.
12. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15. Peter's denial.
19. Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25. Peter's second and third denial.
28. Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36. His kingdom.
40. The Jews prefer Barabbas.














When Jesus said
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus' arrest. The Greek verb used here, "εἶπεν" (eipen), is a simple past tense, indicating a definitive statement. Jesus' words carry authority and power, reflecting His divine nature. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus' declarations often reveal His identity and mission, underscoring His role as the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

I am he
The Greek phrase "ἐγώ εἰμι" (ego eimi) is significant. It echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God declares, "I AM WHO I AM." This self-identification by Jesus is a profound assertion of His divinity. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus uses "I am" statements to reveal His divine nature and mission (e.g., "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world"). Here, it serves as a powerful declaration of His identity as the Son of God, even in the face of arrest.

they drew back
The reaction of those who came to arrest Jesus is telling. The Greek word "ἀπῆλθον" (apēlthon) suggests a physical retreat, indicating that the power of Jesus' declaration caused an involuntary response. This moment highlights the authority and majesty of Jesus, even as He willingly submits to the events leading to His crucifixion. It serves as a reminder of the divine power inherent in Jesus' presence and words.

and fell to the ground
The phrase "ἔπεσαν χαμαί" (epesan chamai) describes a dramatic physical response. Falling to the ground is often associated with an encounter with the divine or a recognition of authority in biblical narratives. This reaction underscores the overwhelming power and authority of Jesus, even in His moment of vulnerability. It is a testament to the truth of His identity and the fulfillment of His mission, as those who came to arrest Him are momentarily overcome by His divine presence.

(6) They went backward, and fell to the ground.--There is nothing in the narrative to suggest that our Lord put forth miraculous power to cause this terror. The impression is rather that it was produced by the majesty of His person, and by the answer which to Jewish ears conveyed the unutterable name, "Jehovah" (I AM). (Comp. Note on John 8:24-25.) Guilt trembled before the calmness of innocence. Man fell to the ground before the presence of God. To Judas the term must have been familiar, and have brought back a past which may well have made him tremble at the present. To the officers the voice came from Him of whom they had been convinced before that "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). They have come to take Him by force, but conscience paralyses all their intentions, and they lay helpless before Him. He will surrender Himself because His hour is come (John 17:1); but His life no one taketh from Him. For this sense of awe in the presence of Christ, comp. the account of the cleansing of the Temple in John 2:14 et seq.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[Jesus] said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“I
Ἐγώ (Egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am [He],”
εἰμι (eimi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

they drew
ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

back
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Adverb
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fell
ἔπεσαν (epesan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

to [the] ground.
χαμαί (chamai)
Adverb
Strong's 5476: Adverb perhaps from the base of chasma through the idea of a fissure in the soil; earthward, i.e. Prostrate.


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