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John 18:5

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 18:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
John 18:5 — American Standard Version

Context — John 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.
3Judas then, having received the band [of soldiers], and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?
5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6When therefore he said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8Jesus answered, I told you that I am [he]; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth, etc.] 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”,…”
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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
“They answered . . . Jesus of Nazareth--just the sort of blunt, straight forward reply one expects from military men, simply acting on their instructions. I am He--(See on Joh 6:20). Judas . . . stood with them--No more is recorded here of his part of the scene, but we have found the gap painfully supplied by all the other Evangelists.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:5 I Am he (literally I am): Jesus identified himself by the divine name God had revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exod 3:14; see also John 4:26; 8:24, 58).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jesus: Joh 1:46, Joh 19:19; Mat 2:23, Mat 21:11 stood: Isa 3:9; Jer 8:12 John 18:6”
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Related study paths

Read John 18 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification