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John 18:6
Verse
Context
Sermons
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
They went backward, and fell to the ground - None of the other evangelists mentions this very important circumstance. Our Lord chose to give them this proof of his infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against him if he chose to exert his might, seeing that the very breath of his mouth confounded, drove back, and struck them down to the earth. Thus by the blast of God they might have perished, and by the breath of his nostrils they might have been consumed: Job 4:9.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As soon then as he said unto them, I am He, they went backward--recoiled. and fell to the ground--struck down by a power such as that which smote Saul of Tarsus and his companions to the earth (Act 26:14). It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. "This, occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up" [MEYER].
John Gill Bible Commentary
As soon then as he had said unto them I am he,.... Immediately upon his speaking these words, which were delivered with so much majesty and authority, and were attended with such a divine power: they went backward, and fell to the ground; they were confounded, surprised, and intimidated, and seemed as if they would have chose rather to have fled from him, than to have apprehended him; and as they retired and went backward, they fainted away, as it were, either at the majesty of his looks, or at the power of his words, or both, so that they became like ad men, falling to the ground. Sometimes the majesty of a man's person, or his fame for some remarkable things done by him, or the innocence and uprightness of his cause, have had such an influence upon his enemies, that they have not been able to execute upon him what they intended. It is reported of Caius Maxius that being reduced to the utmost misery, and shut up in a private house at Minturnae, (a town in Italy,) an executioner was sent to kill him; and though he was an old man, and unarmed, and in the most miserable condition, yet the executioner having drawn his sword, could not attempt to use it; but, as the historian (y) says, being struck with blindness at the glory of the man, ran away astonished and trembling. Now, besides the above things, in their highest perfection, there was in our Lord something more than human; he was God as well as man, and he displayed his divine majesty, glory, and power. This was done, not to make his escape from them; but to give proof of his deity, and a specimen of his power at the great day; and to let them know, that if he had not thought fit to have surrendered himself voluntarily to them, though he was an unarmed person, they, with all their men and arms, could never have laid hold on him; and to show them, that he could as easily have struck them dead, as to cause them to fall to the ground: and sometimes striking a person dead immediately, is expressed by this phrase of striking to the ground; and is ascribed to God, who does it by the ministry of angels: says R. Simeon ben Shetach (z), to some persons at variance, "let the master of thoughts come, (i.e. the blessed God,) and take vengeance on you; immediately Gabriel came, , "and smote them to the ground"; and they died immediately.'' The like is elsewhere said (a), "if thou transgresseth thy father's command, immediately comes Gabriel, and "smites to the ground".'' (y) Valerius Maxim. l. 2. c. 5. (z) F. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 19. 2. (a) Shemot Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 91. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
18:6 The soldiers and guards all drew back before the Lord (cp. Isa 6:5; Ezek 1:28; Dan 10:9; Acts 9:4; Rev 1:17). Even Roman soldiers, who were trained not to fall, fell to the ground before Christ. Although they took this posture of submission, they didn’t really understand what had occurred and proceeded with the arrest.
John 18:6
The Betrayal of Jesus
5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them.6When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Day 215, John 18
By David Servant0EXO 3:14MAT 10:32LUK 22:51JHN 6:35JHN 18:6JHN 18:28JHN 18:321CO 5:7David Servant delves into the Gospel of John, highlighting unique aspects such as Jesus' captors falling to the ground when He identified Himself as 'I am,' echoing God's revelation to Moses. John exclusively records Jesus' profound 'I am' statements, emphasizing His divinity and unique claims. The account of Peter's impulsive actions and subsequent denial of Christ showcases God's amazing grace and redemption, despite human shortcomings and failures. Through Peter's story, the sermon explores the depth of God's forgiveness and restoration, challenging misconceptions about salvation and the extent of God's mercy. The sermon also contrasts the religious hypocrisy of the chief priests and Pharisees with the true sacrificial nature of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, ultimately fulfilling God's redemptive plan.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
They went backward, and fell to the ground - None of the other evangelists mentions this very important circumstance. Our Lord chose to give them this proof of his infinite power, that they might know that their power could not prevail against him if he chose to exert his might, seeing that the very breath of his mouth confounded, drove back, and struck them down to the earth. Thus by the blast of God they might have perished, and by the breath of his nostrils they might have been consumed: Job 4:9.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As soon then as he said unto them, I am He, they went backward--recoiled. and fell to the ground--struck down by a power such as that which smote Saul of Tarsus and his companions to the earth (Act 26:14). It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. "This, occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up" [MEYER].
John Gill Bible Commentary
As soon then as he had said unto them I am he,.... Immediately upon his speaking these words, which were delivered with so much majesty and authority, and were attended with such a divine power: they went backward, and fell to the ground; they were confounded, surprised, and intimidated, and seemed as if they would have chose rather to have fled from him, than to have apprehended him; and as they retired and went backward, they fainted away, as it were, either at the majesty of his looks, or at the power of his words, or both, so that they became like ad men, falling to the ground. Sometimes the majesty of a man's person, or his fame for some remarkable things done by him, or the innocence and uprightness of his cause, have had such an influence upon his enemies, that they have not been able to execute upon him what they intended. It is reported of Caius Maxius that being reduced to the utmost misery, and shut up in a private house at Minturnae, (a town in Italy,) an executioner was sent to kill him; and though he was an old man, and unarmed, and in the most miserable condition, yet the executioner having drawn his sword, could not attempt to use it; but, as the historian (y) says, being struck with blindness at the glory of the man, ran away astonished and trembling. Now, besides the above things, in their highest perfection, there was in our Lord something more than human; he was God as well as man, and he displayed his divine majesty, glory, and power. This was done, not to make his escape from them; but to give proof of his deity, and a specimen of his power at the great day; and to let them know, that if he had not thought fit to have surrendered himself voluntarily to them, though he was an unarmed person, they, with all their men and arms, could never have laid hold on him; and to show them, that he could as easily have struck them dead, as to cause them to fall to the ground: and sometimes striking a person dead immediately, is expressed by this phrase of striking to the ground; and is ascribed to God, who does it by the ministry of angels: says R. Simeon ben Shetach (z), to some persons at variance, "let the master of thoughts come, (i.e. the blessed God,) and take vengeance on you; immediately Gabriel came, , "and smote them to the ground"; and they died immediately.'' The like is elsewhere said (a), "if thou transgresseth thy father's command, immediately comes Gabriel, and "smites to the ground".'' (y) Valerius Maxim. l. 2. c. 5. (z) F. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 19. 2. (a) Shemot Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 91. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
18:6 The soldiers and guards all drew back before the Lord (cp. Isa 6:5; Ezek 1:28; Dan 10:9; Acts 9:4; Rev 1:17). Even Roman soldiers, who were trained not to fall, fell to the ground before Christ. Although they took this posture of submission, they didn’t really understand what had occurred and proceeded with the arrest.