John 18:7 kjv
Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
John 18:7 nkjv
Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
John 18:7 niv
Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said.
John 18:7 esv
So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
John 18:7 nlt
Once more he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" And again they replied, "Jesus the Nazarene."
John 18 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 18:4 | Jesus... knew all that was going to happen to him. He went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" | Jesus' foreknowledge and initiative. |
| Jn 18:5 | They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. | Preceding revelation of divine authority. |
| Jn 10:17-18 | I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. | Jesus' voluntary sacrifice. |
| Jn 19:10-11 | Pilate said... "Don’t you know I have power... to crucify you...?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." | Jesus' divine authority over earthly power. |
| Matt 26:53-54 | Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled? | Jesus' power and obedience to Scripture. |
| Lk 22:53 | "Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns." | Acknowledgment of divine timing/darkness. |
| Acts 2:22 | Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you... | Apostolic preaching of Jesus' identity. |
| Acts 3:6 | Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." | Healing power in Jesus' earthly name. |
| Acts 4:10 | Let it be known to you all... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead... this man stands before you healed. | Assertion of Jesus' name for salvation. |
| Acts 22:8 | "Who are you, Lord?" I asked. "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting," he replied. | Risen Lord identifies Himself to Saul. |
| Mk 1:24 | "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" | Demonic recognition of Jesus. |
| Matt 2:23 | And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. | Prophetic connection to Nazareth. |
| Jn 1:46 | "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. | Perception of Nazareth as insignificant. |
| Jn 18:8-9 | "If you are looking for me," Jesus said, "then let these men go." This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled... "I have not lost one of those you gave me." | Jesus protecting His disciples. |
| Jn 17:12 | While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction... | Jesus' previous prayer for His disciples. |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. | The true nature of seeking God. |
| Matt 7:7-8 | Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. | Promise to those who seek God. |
| Psa 14:2 | The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. | God's observation of humanity seeking. |
| Jn 12:21 | They came to Philip... saying, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." | Desire of some to see Jesus. |
| Jn 18:3 | Then Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. | Contrast of light/darkness in arrest scene. |
| Jn 3:19-20 | This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light... | Humanity's preference for darkness. |
| Jn 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | The light's invincibility. |
| Jn 8:58 | "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" | Jesus' pre-existence and divine claim. |
| Lk 22:49 | When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" | Disciples' impulse to fight. |
John 18 verses
John 18 7 Meaning
John 18:7 demonstrates Jesus' active control over His arrest. Despite being sought by armed men, He maintains initiative, intentionally repeating His question, "Whom do you seek?" This repetition forces His pursuers to reiterate their intention to apprehend Him, specifically by His earthly identity, "Jesus of Nazareth," thereby clarifying their target while setting the stage for His next move: ensuring the safety of His disciples. The verse highlights His sovereignty even in submission to the Father's will.
John 18 7 Context
John 18:7 occurs immediately after Jesus’ powerful declaration of "I AM" (Grk. ego eimi) in John 18:5, which caused the arresting party—comprising a Roman cohort, temple guards, and Judas—to stagger backward and fall to the ground. This miraculous display of divine authority, instead of prompting their surrender or spiritual realization, leaves them seemingly unfazed in their objective. Jesus' subsequent, repeated question in verse 7 confirms His self-giving while setting the stage for the specific terms of His surrender, demonstrating His profound control and sovereign will even in His imminent arrest. The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane under the cover of night, a time of clandestine action against the Light of the world.
John 18 7 Word analysis
- Then (οὖν, oun): This Greek particle indicates a logical connection or continuation, suggesting that what follows is a consequence or a deliberate step after the previous event. Here, it signifies Jesus' measured response to the arresting party after they had fallen back.
- He asked (ἐπηρώτησεν, epērōtēsen): A strong verb for "asked" or "inquired," implying a purposeful, pointed question, not a casual one. Jesus actively engages His captors, showing control.
- them: Refers to the Roman soldiers and temple guards, led by Judas (Jn 18:3). This mixed group represents both secular and religious authority set against Jesus.
- again (πάλιν, palin): Crucially, this signifies a repetition. Jesus has asked this exact question previously (Jn 18:4). The reiteration emphasizes Jesus' deliberate will, giving them another opportunity to state their intent, and preparing for His subsequent demand concerning His disciples.
- "Whom (τίνα, tina)": An interrogative pronoun, specifically asking for the identity of the target.
- do you seek (ζητεῖτε, zēteite)?": This is in the present active indicative in Greek, implying an ongoing or habitual action ("are you seeking?"). It underscores the continuous nature of their pursuit, highlighting their relentless focus on His capture rather than understanding His person. The question, asked by the Son of God, also carries an implied challenge regarding the ultimate object of human longing.
- And they said: Their response confirms their specific and immediate objective.
- "Jesus (Ἰησοῦν, Iēsoun): The human name of the Christ, commonly known. It emphasizes His tangible humanity, which allowed Him to be a target for arrest.
- of Nazareth (τὸν Ναζωραῖον, ton Nazōraion): A geographical identifier. To many, "Nazarene" carried connotations of lowliness or insignificance (Jn 1:46). However, for Jesus, it connects to a subtle fulfillment of prophecy, albeit indirectly in Matt 2:23. It reveals their limited perception of Him, focused on His earthly origin rather than His divine essence which He just revealed with "I AM."
- "Then He asked them again": This phrase highlights Jesus' sovereignty. He is not a helpless victim but initiates the conversation and dictates its terms. The repetition underscores His deliberateness and calculated steps towards fulfilling His redemptive mission.
- "Whom do you seek?": This question, repeated, is more than an inquiry for identification. It challenges their intent and purpose. Are they seeking a mere man, or have they truly considered whom they pursue? The "I AM" event just moments before made it clear He was more than a mere Nazarene.
- "Jesus of Nazareth.": Their answer reveals their limited perception. They recognize His human identity and earthly association, but seemingly remain blind to the divine power and authority He just displayed. It ironically sets up the prophetic fulfillment and the mission of the Apostles to declare Jesus by this very title (Acts 2:22, 3:6).
John 18 7 Bonus section
The immediate juxtaposition of the arresting party falling backward (Jn 18:6) due to Jesus' divine declaration, followed by His immediate and calm repetition of "Whom do you seek?", showcases a remarkable paradox. It highlights Jesus' unwavering resolve to proceed with His redemptive work, despite having the power to halt the arrest at any moment. The darkness of the garden and the torches of the soldiers stand in stark contrast to Jesus, the Light of the world (Jn 8:12), whom they paradoxically come to apprehend in spiritual blindness, not understanding the true nature of their search. His precise engagement of His enemies reinforces the theological truth that the Son willingly lays down His life (Jn 10:17-18).
John 18 7 Commentary
John 18:7 is pivotal in the passion narrative, not for what changes in the action, but for what it reveals about Jesus. His re-asking "Whom do you seek?" after demonstrating divine power shows a profound control and self-possession. He willingly directs His captors, preventing confusion or accidental arrest of others. Their answer, "Jesus of Nazareth," showcases their limited, human-centric understanding of Him, ignoring His recently unveiled "I AM" declaration. Jesus, though fully aware of His impending suffering, acts with purpose, initiating each step, securing His identity as the chosen sacrifice, and preparing for His disciples' protection.