John 18:7
New International Version
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

New Living Translation
Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

English Standard Version
So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Berean Standard Bible
So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore He questioned them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

King James Bible
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

New King James Version
Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

New American Standard Bible
He then asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

NASB 1995
Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

NASB 1977
Again therefore He asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

Amplified Bible
Again He asked them, “Whom do you want?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking? ” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He asked them again, “Who is it you’re looking for?"” Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

American Standard Version
Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus again asked, "Who are you looking for?" "We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth," they answered.

English Revised Version
Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus from Nazareth."

Good News Translation
Again Jesus asked them, "Who is it you are looking for?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said.

International Standard Version
So he asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus from Nazareth."

Majority Standard Bible
So He asked them again, ?Whom are you seeking?? ?Jesus of Nazareth,? they answered.

NET Bible
Then Jesus asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene."

New Heart English Bible
Again therefore he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he asked them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Weymouth New Testament
Again therefore He asked them, "Who are you looking for?" "For Jesus the Nazarene," they said.

World English Bible
Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Again, therefore, He questioned them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene”;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore He questioned them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

Young's Literal Translation
Again, therefore, he questioned them, 'Whom do ye seek?' and they said, 'Jesus the Nazarene;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus the Nazarite.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again therefore he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then again he questioned them: “Who are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

New American Bible
So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.”

New Revised Standard Version
Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus again asked them, Whom do you want? They said, Jesus the Nazarene.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said again, “Whom are you seeking?” But they said, “Yeshua the Nazarene.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then he asked them again: "Whom do you seek? They said: Jesus the Nazarene.

Godbey New Testament
Then He again asked them, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.

Haweis New Testament
Again therefore he demanded of them, Whom seek ye? Then they said, Jesus the Nazarean.

Mace New Testament
then he asked them again, who do you look for? and they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Weymouth New Testament
Again therefore He asked them, "Who are you looking for?" "For Jesus the Nazarene," they said.

Worrell New Testament
Again, therefore, He asked them, "Whom seek ye?" And they said, "Jesus, the Nazarene."

Worsley New Testament
Then He asked them again, Whom do ye seek?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
6When 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. 8“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”…

Cross References
John 10:18
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

John 19:9
and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.

Matthew 26:53
Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Luke 22:52-53
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw? / Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”

Mark 14:48-49
Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? / Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 13:1
It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.

John 17:12
While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

John 6:39
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 12:27
Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

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

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.


Treasury of Scripture

Then asked he them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jump to Previous
Demanded Jesus Nazaraean Nazarene Nazareth Question Questioned Seek Want
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Demanded Jesus Nazaraean Nazarene Nazareth Question Questioned Seek Want
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.














So He asked them again
In this moment, Jesus demonstrates His control over the situation. Despite knowing the outcome, He initiates the conversation, showing His willingness to fulfill His mission. This reflects His divine authority and calmness in the face of adversity. The repetition of the question emphasizes the importance of the moment and highlights the deliberate nature of His actions. This also fulfills His role as the Good Shepherd, who willingly lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11).

“Whom are you seeking?”
This question is significant as it underscores the misunderstanding of Jesus' identity by those who came to arrest Him. They were looking for a man, unaware of His divine nature. This question also serves to protect His disciples, as He later requests that they be let go (John 18:8). It echoes the theme of seeking and finding throughout the Gospel of John, where true seekers of Jesus find eternal life (John 1:38-39, John 6:35).

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
The response identifies Jesus by His earthly origin, Nazareth, a town with a humble reputation (John 1:46). This highlights the contrast between His humble beginnings and His divine mission. The use of "Nazareth" fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). It also reflects the limited understanding of the crowd, who see Him merely as a man from Nazareth, not recognizing Him as the Messiah. This moment is pivotal as it sets the stage for His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecies of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus of Nazareth
Central figure in this passage, Jesus is identified by His earthly origin, Nazareth, emphasizing His humanity and fulfillment of prophecy as the Messiah.

2. The Arresting Party
This group includes Roman soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, sent to arrest Jesus, highlighting the collaboration between Jewish and Roman authorities.

3. Garden of Gethsemane
The location where this event takes place, a significant site for Jesus' prayer and subsequent arrest, symbolizing a place of trial and submission to God's will.

4. Judas Iscariot
Though not mentioned in this specific verse, he is the one who leads the arresting party to Jesus, fulfilling his role as the betrayer.

5. Peter and the Disciples
Present during this event, their reactions and subsequent actions are crucial to understanding the human response to divine events.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of Jesus
Despite being arrested, Jesus is in control of the situation, demonstrating His divine authority and willingness to fulfill His mission.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' arrest is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.

The Human Response to Divine Events
The disciples' reactions, including fear and confusion, reflect our own struggles to understand and respond to God's plans.

The Role of Betrayal in God's Plan
Judas' betrayal, though evil, is used by God to accomplish His redemptive purposes, reminding us of God's sovereignty over human actions.

The Importance of Identifying Jesus Correctly
The repeated question, "Whom are you seeking?" challenges us to consider our understanding and relationship with Jesus.(7) Then asked he them again.--Their fear has passed away, so that we are not to think, as men sometimes do, that they were struck to the ground helpless. His thought is still of saving those who are with Him. The question brings the same formal answer. They have no warrant to take any of those who are with Him. They seek only Jesus of Nazareth.

Verses 7, 8. - Again then (οϋν, regarding all the conditions, the cup, the cross, the blood-baptism, the supreme will, all are at stake) he asked them, Whom seek ye? Then, restored from their fright and spasm of conscience, produced by the presence of One whom no fetters, not even those of death itself, could bind, and reassured now by the same voice (cf. Daniel 10:10; Revelation 1:17), they reply, Jesus the Nazarene. He thus compels them to limit their design, and to single himself out for the malice and devilish plot of their masters. I told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, suffer these to depart. There is much in this that lies beneath the surface.

(1) There is an explanation of the miraculous blast which had a few moments before rolled them at his feet. They will not dare to disobey him. What may he not do, if they proceed to arrest the disciples?

(2) The disciples are discharged from the immediate function of suffering and death. They were in imminent danger, as is conspicuous from the fleeing youth, and from the language of the bystanders subsequently to Peter; but their hour was not yet come.

(3) He would tread the winepress alone. They were none who could go with him into this terrible conflict (cf. "Ye shall leave me alone; yet not alone").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

He asked
ἐπηρώτησεν (epērōtēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1905: To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.

them
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

again,
Πάλιν (Palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

“Whom
Τίνα (Tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you seeking?”
ζητεῖτε (zēteite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

“Jesus
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

of
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Nazareth,”
Ναζωραῖον (Nazōraion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3480: A Nazarene, an inhabitant of Nazareth. From Nazareth; a Nazoraean, i.e. Inhabitant of Nazareth; by extension, a Christian.

they answered.
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.


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NT Gospels: John 18:7 Again therefore he asked them Who (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 18:6
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