John 18:4

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 18:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:4 — American Standard Version

Context — John 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus therefore knowing all things, etc.] As being the omniscient God, so his knowledge reaches to all persons and things, without any limitation, and restriction; though here it has a regard to all the things, that should come upon him; even all the sufferings he should endure, which were all determined by God; agreed to by him, in the covenant of grace; predicted in the Old Testament, and foretold by himself: he knew all the circumstances that would attend his sufferings, as that he should be betrayed by Judas; be forsaken by the rest of his disciples; that the Jews would give him gall and vinegar in his thirst; and the soldiers part his garments among them: he knew the time of his…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jesus . . . knowing all things that should come--were coming. upon him, went forth--from the shade of the trees, probably, into open view, indicating His sublime preparedness to meet His captors. Whom seek ye?--partly to prevent a rush of the soldiery upon the disciples [BENGEL]; and see Mar 14:51-52, as showing a tendency to this: but still more as part of that courage and majesty which so overawed them. He would not wait to be taken.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“knowing: Joh 10:17, Joh 10:18, Joh 13:1, Joh 19:28; Mat 16:21, Mat 17:22, Mat 17:23, Mat 20:18, Mat 20:19, Mat 26:2, Mat 26:21, Mat 26:31; Mar 10:33, Mar 10:34; Luk 18:31-33, Luk 24:6, Luk 24:7, Luk 24:44; Act 2:28, Act 4:24-28, Act 20:22-23 Whom: Kg1 18:10, Kg1 18:14-18; Neh 6:11; Psa 3:6, Psa 27:3; Pro 28:1; Pe1 4:1 John 18:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification