John 18:8 kjv
Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 18:8 nkjv
Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,"
John 18:8 niv
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go."
John 18:8 esv
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go."
John 18:8 nlt
"I told you that I AM he," Jesus said. "And since I am the one you want, let these others go."
John 18 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 18:8 | "If you are looking for me, let these men go." | Jesus allows Himself to be captured for His sheep. |
| John 17:12 | "While I was with them, I protected them through your name that you have given me." | Jesus' care for His disciples. |
| John 6:39 | "And this is the will of him who sent me: that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." | Jesus' commitment to preserving His followers. |
| Mark 14:48 | Jesus asks, "Am I committing a crime that I must be arrested like a criminal?" | Jesus asserting His innocence. |
| Luke 22:48 | Jesus asks Judas, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" | Jesus identifying the betrayal. |
| Isaiah 53:7 | "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth..." | Foreshadowing Jesus' silent acceptance of suffering. |
| Genesis 50:20 | Joseph telling his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." | God turning evil purposes into good outcomes. |
| Exodus 3:7-8 | God hearing the cry of Israel and coming down to rescue them. | God's compassionate intervention. |
| Matthew 26:52 | Jesus tells Peter, "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." | Jesus disavowing violence. |
| Philippians 2:7-8 | "...but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" | Jesus' humility and obedience unto death. |
| 1 Peter 2:21-23 | "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate..." | Jesus as a model of suffering without retaliation. |
| Romans 11:26 | "...and so all Israel will be saved." | God's ultimate plan of salvation for His people. |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Jesus' sacrifice for His followers. |
| John 10:27-28 | "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." | Jesus' protective power over believers. |
| Jeremiah 30:10-11 | "So do not fear, Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you. I will surely bring a distant nation to account for them... I will save you from a distant land..." | God's promise of deliverance for His people. |
| Psalm 27:1 | "The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?" | God as a source of protection and security. |
| Isaiah 41:10 | "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." | God's reassurance of presence and strength. |
| Matthew 18:12-14 | Parable of the lost sheep, highlighting the shepherd's concern for the one lost sheep. | Jesus' concern for every individual believer. |
| Hebrews 12:2 | "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." | Jesus' enduring the cross for a greater purpose. |
| Proverbs 16:7 | "In the Lord’s hand is the heart of a king— he directs it wherever he pleases." | God's sovereign control over all events. |
| Romans 5:8 | "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | Christ's sacrificial love demonstrated. |
John 18 verses
John 18 8 Meaning
Jesus tells His followers to go away, effectively instructing them to separate themselves from the dangerous situation unfolding. This demonstrates His desire to protect them and take the burden of His arrest upon Himself.
John 18 8 Context
This verse occurs during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Following the betrayal by Judas, a detachment of soldiers and temple guards, armed with swords and clubs, arrived to apprehend Jesus. Peter, in his zeal, drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. It is at this moment that Jesus, in a clear demonstration of His authority and self-surrender, speaks these words to the arresting party. He prioritizes the safety of His disciples over His own immediate physical liberty.
John 18 8 Word Analysis
- "If" (ἐὰν - ean): This is a conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical situation. It indicates that Jesus is not stating a fact but posing a condition to the arresting group.
- "you" (ὑμεῖς - hymeis): Plural pronoun. Jesus is addressing the entire group of soldiers and guards present.
- "are looking for" (ζητεῖτε - zēteite): From the verb ζητέω (zēteō), meaning "to seek," "to search for," "to look for." It implies a deliberate and purposeful search, which they were clearly engaged in.
- "me" (ἐμέ - eme): The direct object. Jesus makes it clear that He is the target of their search.
- "let" (ἀφῆτε - aphēte): Imperative form of the verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to let go," "to permit," "to leave behind," "to forgive." In this context, it's a command or strong request to release.
- "these" (οὗτοι - houtoi): Demonstrative pronoun, plural. It refers specifically to His disciples who were present with Him.
- "men" (ἄνθρωποι - anthrōpoi): Greek word for "men" or "people." In this context, it refers to the male followers of Jesus.
- "go" (ὑπάγετε - ypate): Imperative form of the verb ὑπάγω (ypagō), meaning "to go," "to depart," "to proceed." It is a command to leave the scene.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "If you are looking for me, let these men go."
- This phrase establishes a clear transactional proposition: Jesus' capture in exchange for His followers' freedom. It highlights His proactive role in directing the events of His arrest, not as a passive victim, but as one in authority who willingly surrenders Himself. The use of the imperative "let go" (ἀφῆτε) underscores His command and authority, even while being arrested. It signifies His deliberate choice to shield His disciples from immediate danger and to face the consequences alone.
John 18 8 Bonus Section
The disciples’ reaction (Peter’s sword-drawing) immediately before this statement indicates their readiness to defend Jesus, highlighting their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and their fear for His physical safety. Jesus' response, by contrast, demonstrates His perfect understanding and acceptance of His divinely appointed destiny, which involved suffering and death, not armed resistance. This incident also shows Jesus' power to control the situation and to override the fear and impulsiveness of His disciples. His action here foreshadows His willingness to go through the entire passion for the redemption of humanity.
John 18 8 Commentary
Jesus demonstrates His ultimate shepherdly nature and authority by prioritizing the safety and liberty of His flock. Even as He is apprehended, He directs the arresting party, identifying Himself as the one they seek and demanding the release of His followers. This act underscores His divine authority and the unique value He places on each of His disciples. It is a testament to His voluntary submission to the Father's will, embracing the path of suffering for the salvation of others, and reinforcing the prophecy of the good shepherd laying down His life for the sheep. His words also reveal His deep love and protective care for those who followed Him.