Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
5. Jesus of Nazareth ] Or, Jesus the Nazarene (Mat 2:23), a rather more contemptuous expression than ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ (Joh 1:46; Act 10:38; comp. Mat 21:11). ‘The Nazarene’ in a contemptuous sense occurs Joh 19:19; Mat 26:71; Mar 14:67. It is sometimes used in a neutral sense (Mar 10:47; Luk 18:37; Luk 24:19). Later on the contempt of Jews and heathen became the glory of Christians (Act 2:22; Act 3:6; Act 4:10; Act 6:14).
I am he ] The ‘he’ is not expressed in the Greek: and ‘I am’ to Jewish ears was the name of Jehovah. We have had the same expression several times in this Gospel (Joh 4:26), Joh 6:20, Joh 8:24; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:58, Joh 13:13 (see notes in each place). Judas, if not the chief priests, must have noticed the significant words. There is nothing in the narrative to shew that either the whole company were miraculously blinded (Luk 24:16), or that Judas in particular was blinded or paralysed. Even those who knew Him well might fail to recognise Him at once by night and with the traces of the Agony fresh upon Him.
which betrayed him, stood ] Literally, who was betraying Him ( Joh 18:2), was standing. This tragic detail is impressed on S. John’s memory. In this as in the lanterns and torches, which he alone mentions, we have the vividness of the eye-witness. S. Luke (Luk 22:47) tells us that ‘Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him.’ Apparently, after having done this, he fell back and rejoined Christ’s enemies, standing in the foreground.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. Jesus of Nazareth.] They did not say this till after Judas kissed Christ, which was the sign which he had agreed with the soldiers, &c., to give them, that they might know whom they were to seize: see Mt 26:48. Though some harmonists place the kiss after what is spoken in the ninth verse.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They tell him, Jesus of Nazareth. Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Mat 2:1; but his father and mother lived at Nazareth, a city of Galilee, Luk 2:4,39, where he lived with them, Luk 2:51; hence he was called Jesus of Nazareth, from the place where he lived, and most ordinarily conversed. Mat 21:11; Mat 26:71; Mar 1:24; 10:47; 14:67; 16:6. Christ replies that he was the man; and it is particularly noted, that Judas was with this armed company.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. They answered . . . Jesus ofNazarethjust the sort of blunt, straight forward reply oneexpects from military men, simply acting on their instructions.
I am He(See on Joh6:20).
Judas . . . stood withthemNo more is recorded here of his part of the scene,but we have found the gap painfully supplied by all the otherEvangelists.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth,…. Their answer is not, “thee”; for they knew him not, their eyes were holden, or struck with dimness, or blindness, as the men of Sodom were; or they that answered might be such, who never personally knew him: nor do they say “Christ”, for they rejected and denied him as the Messiah; nor do they call him that deceiver, or seditious person, as they sometimes did, being willing to cover their malicious views and intentions; but Jesus of Nazareth, a name by which he was commonly known, being taken from his education and conversation in that place; though this was sometimes given him in a contemptuous way:
Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]; or “I am”, respecting his name Jehovah, averring himself to be the Christ, and owning himself under the name they were pleased to call him by; which shows how willing he was to be taken by them, and may teach us not to be ashamed of him, or of any nickname we may bear for his sake:
and Judas also which betrayed him stood with them; this circumstance is recorded to show, that Judas at first did not know him any more than the rest; so that he might easily have passed them if he had pleased; and that Judas did not stand with them as an idle spectator; he came with them to betray him, and was looking out for him; though when he spake he knew him not: it also expresses the different company Judas was in; a little while ago, he was at supper with Christ, and the other disciples, and now he is at the head of a band of soldiers, and others, to betray him; and also his continuance in his iniquity and wicked resolutions and agreement; as yet he had no remorse of conscience, or sense of his sin: and it seems to be mentioned also with this view, to inform us, that he fell to the ground with the rest; which is related in Joh 18:6. The Jew x asserts, that there is a disagreement between the Evangelist John and the rest of the evangelists in this account: he observes, that when Judas came with his armed men to take Jesus, Jesus went out to meet them, and asked them, saying, whom Seek ye? they say Jesus of Nazareth; to whom he replies, I am he; and then Judas, that betrayed him, stood with them: but Matthew, in his Gospel, Mt 26:47, and Mark, Mr 14:43; and Luke, Lu 22:47; relate, that Judas gave a sign to the soldiers, when they came to take Jesus, saying, him whom I shall kiss, lay hold on, and they did so. But here is no contradiction, John does not deny that Judas gave a sign to the soldiers; though he omits it, it being so particularly observed by the other evangelists, and only relates what is not taken notice of by them, and which no ways contradicts what they have asserted: the force of the objection seems to lie here; that, according to the other evangelists, Judas, as soon as he came into the garden, made up to Christ, and gave the signal by which he might be known, whereas he is here said to stand with the soldiers and officers; and that seeing such a signal was given, he must be, and was known by it, whereas he is here represented as if he was not known by them until he had made himself known to them; and that as soon as Judas had given the sign, they immediately seized him, whereas, according to this account, they did not, until some words had passed between Christ and them, and they first fell to the ground. In answer to which it may be said, that admitting that Judas did make up to Christ as soon as he entered the garden, and gave the signal to the soldiers, he might upon that immediately retire, and place himself among the multitude; either to give further directions and instructions to them, or that they might defend him from Jesus, should there be any occasion for it: and though it should be allowed that the signal was given by Judas before this, it might not be discerned by the soldiers, either not being near enough to observe it; or, as some think, being stricken with blindness, for a time, as the Sodomites were; or even supposing it was seen, and they knew by it which was Jesus, it is still a fuller proof of the courage and intrepidity of Christ to go forth, and present himself to them, and put the questions he did, and confirm unto them the truth of it, that he was Jesus whom they sought: to which may be added, that it does not appear that Christ was immediately seized by the soldiers, upon the signal given them by Judas, without some intervening words and actions; for though the signal and the seizure lie very near together in the accounts of Matthew and Mark; yet Luke relates many things between them, as the question of the disciples, whether they should smite with the sword; Peter’s cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant; Christ’s rebuking him, and touching the servant’s ear, and healing it; and some discourse which passed between him, and the chief priests, captains, and elders. All which agree with the account the Evangelist John here gives.
x R. Isaac Chizzuk Emuna, par. 2. c. 56. p. 445, 446.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Was standing (). Second past perfect active of used as imperfect, a vivid picture of Judas in the very act of betraying Jesus. John does not mention the kiss by Judas as a sign to the soldiers and police. Tatian suggests that it came before verse 4. Then Jesus stepped forth and affirmed that he was the one whom they were seeking.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Of Nazareth [ ] . Literally, the Nazarene.
Stood [] . Imperfect tense. Rev., correctly, was standing.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth,” (apekrithesan auto) “They answered him directly.” (lesoun ton Nazoraion) “Jesus the Nazarene,” Mat 2:23; For they held that no good thing could come out of Nazareth, Joh 1:46; Act 24:5. It was the despised name by which He was commonly known, and a term of derision, used by the Pharisees especially, Mar 14:67.
2) “Jesus saith unto them, I am he.” (legei autois ego eimi) “He said to them directly I am he,” the one the traitor has contracted to deliver to you all, and I know what you are after and who you are after, Joh 2:24-25; Mat 26:14-16. You need go no further. Though Judas identified Him with the kiss, Jesus also, without fear, identified Himself.
3) “And Judas also, which betrayeth him,” (kai loudas ho paradidous auton) “Judas also, the one who betrayed him,” who had already entered the contract bargain to lead them to Jesus, in privacy, away from the multitude, to the glee of the chief priests and Jewish rulers, Mar 14:10-11.
4) “Stood with them.” (heistekei de met’ auton) “Then stood with them,” with the “weapon-bearing band,” like a hunter stalking his prey, bent on the kill; He was “standing in the way of sinners” that nite, identified by presence and by a contract bargain with the chief sinners of the hour, Psa 41:9; Joh 13:18-19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5. It is I. He replies mildly that he is the person whom they seek, and yet, as if they had been struck down by a violent tempest, or rather by a thunderbolt, he lays them prostrate on the ground. There was no want of power in him, therefore, to restrain their hands, if he had thought proper; but he wished to obey his Father, by whose decree he knew that he was called to die.
We may infer from this how dreadful and alarming to the wicked the voicc of Christ will be, when he shall ascend his throne to judge the world. At that time he stood as a lamb ready to be sacrificed; his majesty, so far as outward appearance was concerned, was utterly gone; and yet when he utters but a single word, his armed and courageous enemies fall down. And what was the word? He thunders no fearful excommunication against them, but only replies, It is I What then will be the result, when he shall come, not to be judged by a man, but to be the Judge of the living and the dead; not in that mean and despicable appearance but shining in heavenly glory, and accompanied by his angels? He intended, at that time, to give a proof of that efficacy which Isaiah ascribes to his voice. Among other glorious attributes of Christ, the Prophet relates that
he will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and will slay the wicked by the breath of his lips, (Isa 11:4.)
True, the fulfillment of this prophecy is declared by Paul to be delayed till the end of the world, (2Th 2:8.) Yet we daily see the wicked, with all their rage and pride, struck down by the voice of Christ; and, when those men fell down who had come to bind Christ, there was exhibited a visible token of that alarm which wicked men feel within themselves, whether they will or not, when Christ speaks by his ministers. Besides, as this was in some measure accidental to the voice of Christ, to whom it peculiarly belongs to raise up men who were lying in a state of death, he will undoubtedly display toward us such power as to raise us even to heaven.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.He was known to many of them (Joh. 7:32; Joh. 7:46; Mat. 26:55); but this is probably an official declaration of the person with whose apprehension they are charged.
I am he.Comp. Notes on Joh. 8:28; Joh. 8:58.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.He had advanced to give the signal of the kiss (Joh. 18:4), and had again retreated, and was now standing with them. He is mentioned in accordance with the vivid impression which the fact left upon the Apostles mind. Judas, who had been one of them, who had been present with them, and had received bread from his Masters hand on that very night, was now standing with the officers of the Sanhedrin and the Roman band, who had come to capture Him! The position of the words suggests also that Judas was in some way specially connected with the fact that on hearing the words I am He, they fell to the ground, as though fear passed from him to those with him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Jesus of Nazareth They have not the spirit to rush forward and seize him without a word of parley. The drill serjeant, however, mechanically answers, according to the warrant, “Jesus of Nazareth.” The Lord has compelled them to utter that memorable name, the memento of their own guilt, the emblem of divine power.
I am he Let it be well identified, to even those ignorant of his person, who it is they seek, and by whose power they are prostrated. At the responsive word, I am he, they recoil and fall. Joh 18:6.
Stood with them Probably the first clear glance that John had caught of the traitor disclosed Judas standing in the crowd. He too, doubtless, feels the overthrow from the mighty name of “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he . And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Ver. 5. Jesus of Nazareth Jesus saith, I am he ] They called him Jesus of Nazareth by way of reproach. He takes it upon him, and wears it for a crown. And should not we do likewise?
And Judas also, &c. ] With what face could the traitor stand there? But being full of the devil he was past grace, and could blush no more than a sackbut. Effraenis et effrons.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5. ] Some among them knew Him ( Mat 26:55 ), others probably not. This answer may have been given by some one in authority among the Roman soldiers, who had it in command ‘to apprehend Jesus of Nazareth.’
] I believe these words to be the description of an eyewitness; John detected Judas standing among them, and notices the detail, as is his constant habit, by way of enhancing the tragic character of the history. The synoptic narrative related the kiss which presently took place: but this self-tradition of our Lord was not related in it. John therefore adds this touch of exactness, to shew that the answer . . was not given because they were ignorant of His Person, so as not to be able to say ‘Thee;’ but because they feared to say it.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 18:5 . “Jesus the Nazarene,” cf. Act 24:5 , occurs Mar 14:67 , etc. , “I am He”. He had already been identified by Judas’ kiss, Mat 24:47 , but Jesus wished to declare Himself as one who did not fear identification. That the kiss was superfluous is, however, no proof that it was not given. This remark is inserted not to bring o t that Judas fell to the ground with the rest (Holtzmann), but to point out that Judas had not only given directions, but had actually come, and now confronted his Lord and companions.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
of Nazareth = the Nazarene. For some reason Nazareth had an evil name (See Joh 1:46), and so Nazarene was a term of reproach. The name has nothing to do with Nazarite (separated) applied to Joseph (Gen 49:26), and those like Samson who took the vow of Num 6.
I am.Greek. ego eimi. These words were used nine times in Joh 4:26; Joh 6:20; Joh 8:24, Joh 8:28, Joh 8:58; Joh 13:19, as well as in Joh 18:5, Joh 18:6, Joh 18:8. Whatever may be said of the first two instances, the others are claims to the Divine title of Exo 3:14 (App-98). See esp. Joh 8:58. There are fourteen instances of the metaphorical use of the phrase in connection with “bread”, “light”, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5.] Some among them knew Him (Mat 26:55), others probably not. This answer may have been given by some one in authority among the Roman soldiers, who had it in command to apprehend Jesus of Nazareth.
] I believe these words to be the description of an eyewitness;-John detected Judas standing among them, and notices the detail, as is his constant habit, by way of enhancing the tragic character of the history. The synoptic narrative related the kiss which presently took place: but this self-tradition of our Lord was not related in it. John therefore adds this touch of exactness, to shew that the answer . . was not given because they were ignorant of His Person, so as not to be able to say Thee;-but because they feared to say it.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 18:5
Joh 18:5
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.-The other writers tell us that he kissed Jesus as the sign by which he would designate him. John does not mention this. It must have occurred at this time. Jesus made no effort to conceal himself, but stepped forward to let them know that he was the person whom they sought. [This is the only mention of Judas presence during the scene made by John.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Jesus: Joh 1:46, Joh 19:19, Mat 2:23, Mat 21:11
stood: Isa 3:9, Jer 8:12
Reciprocal: 2Ki 1:11 – Again Joh 1:45 – Jesus Joh 6:24 – seeking Joh 7:44 – no man Joh 10:18 – man Joh 18:17 – I am not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
When the band announced the name of the person they were wanting, Jesus identified himself as the man they were after. All that John records about Judas’ part is that he stood with them. But the accounts of the other writers show us that sometime in the course of this conversation, he approached Jesus and gave him the betrayal kiss. It might seem that the kiss was unnecessary since Jesus was making himself known and showing no inclination to evade the crowd. But he had made his contract at a time when he did not know what the circumstances would be, and it was “according to form” for him to go through with his agreement for which he was to receive the money.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 18:5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. The answer may perhaps reveal the light in which Judas had represented Jesus to the Roman authorities,of Nazareth, a Galilean, prone to revolt; or it may be that the Evangelist beholds in it one of those unconscious prophecies of the enemies of Jesus of which we have so many examples in this Gospel. In chap. Joh 1:45, Jesus of Nazareth is one of the three great aspects in which we are led to expect that we shall behold the Redeemer.
Jesus saith unto them, I am he. Before the effect produced by the reply is related, a parenthetical clause is introduced.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing with them. What is the object of this clause? Not to explain what afterwards happened, as if Judas had been the first to fall, and so to produce a confusion which made his companions also fall; not merely to awaken indirectly a deeper feeling of abhorrence for the traitor who thus dared to present himself before his victim, and that, too, as we learn from the other Evangelists, with a kiss; least of all in order to connect this Gospel with the earlier ones, its author feeling that as he had not told the story of the kiss of Judas it would be well for him at least to indicate the place where it had been given. The explanation is to be found in chap. Joh 13:27. We have before us Judas possessed by Satan. The powers of evil are concentrated in him; and to bring him thus prominently forward as sharing the fate of others illustrates in the most striking; manner the victory of Jesus even in this hour of apparent defeat. Not man only but Satan shall fall prostrate before the Divine Son; and, if the latter is taken by His enemies, it is not because of their power but because He freely surrenders Himself into their hands (chap. Joh 10:18).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Perhaps John chose not to record the fact that Judas identified Jesus by kissing Him to strengthen the force of Jesus’ question. He mentioned Judas’ presence nonetheless since He was a primary figure in Jesus’ arrest. John stressed Jesus’ complete control of the situation.
Jesus responded with the clause, "It is I" (Gr. ego eimi). As we have noted elsewhere, this was a claim to deity when Jesus uttered it in certain situations (e.g., Joh 8:24; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:58). However it was also a normal way to answer the soldiers here (cf. Joh 9:9). Some interpreters have concluded that John’s description of the soldiers’ response to Jesus’ identification of Himself indicates that they viewed His words as a claim to being God (cf. Psa 27:2). However on other occasions when Jesus’ hearers understood that He was claiming to be God they tried to stone Him. Here they momentarily fell backward, stood up again, and proceeded to arrest Him. Perhaps John was hinting to his readers that the soldiers responded better than they knew by falling backwards. However, it seems unlikely that they took Jesus’ words to be a claim to deity in this context. They probably fell back because they could not believe that the man they had come out expecting to have to hunt for was virtually surrendering to them. Rather than having to hunt down a fleeing peasant they found a commanding figure who confronted them boldly. [Note: See Edersheim, 2:543.]
"It may well be that in Joh 18:5-6 John recorded an incident in which the opponents of Jesus recoiled from surprise or abhorrence of what they perceived to be blasphemy. But for the reader of the gospel, who already knows who Jesus is and that His claim to identification with God is true, the reaction of the enemies is highly ironic. The betrayer Judas himself fell down at Jesus’ feet before the soldiers led Him away to His trial and crucifixion" [Note: Harris, p. 182.]