John 18:4-7 4Then Jesus, knowing all that the things coming upon him, went out and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am.” And Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6Then when Jesus said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Then again he asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
The saga in the garden in Gethsemane continues in these verses with a significant twist not found in the Synoptic Gospels. These verses reveal Jesus’ divinity is several ways. First, Jesus knew everything that was happening. This knowledge was not from simple human observation but divine insight. He knew what was in people’s hearts and minds. He knew the plan of the Father for him to go to the cross. Instead of hiding or running away, he went out to face his accusers. His question at the end of verse 4 opens up the opportunity for the arresting mob to acknowledge who he was. He was always offering grace, even when that grace was strong in confrontation.
The soldiers thought they knew Jesus as the itinerant preacher from the obscure village of Nazareth. Jesus had been in the temple precincts many times teaching and healing people. He had escaped the clutch of the Jewish leaders every time. Now, however, he willingly faced them with the full intent of giving into their arrest warrant.
Jesus’ response to them is significant, which is missed in many English translations. Jesus answers with the same response given many times in this Gospel: I am (egō eimi; 6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 13:19). As these verses suggest, Jesus is saying more than “I am the one you are looking for.” Rather, he is the Great I AM of the Old Testament story come in human flesh.
There are two surprises that after Jesus’ statement. First is that Judas, knowing everything he did about Jesus’ identity, betrayed him. Judas had been present for all the miracles and teaching. He had heard Jesus’ claims about himself. The proof was right in front of him, yet he still carried on with his plan of betraying Jesus. Part of the problem was that Satan had already entered Judas and had deceived him so much that Judas could no longer see the light. At this point, there is no evidence that Judas felt remorse. He was all in. Later, as Matthew 27:3 indicates, he felt bad about what he had done and wanted to undo it, but it was too late by that point. Sin had consumed him with no earthly escape.
The second surprise comes in verse 6 with the reaction of the mob. As soon as Jesus gave his divine identity, they could do nothing but fall to the ground. Even in the darkness of night, the glory of the one and only Son was too overwhelming. However, their eyes were also deceived like Judas’. They could not get around their preconceived notions, doubts, and obligations. Most of them were soldiers just doing their duty. That had little if any choice about the matter. They did not realize how significant the moment was. After they regrouped, they carried on with their plan. How many people also see the light of Jesus only to retreat back to their darkness because it is more comfortable for them? They liked the darkness more than the light (3:19).
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