I Need Help Understanding John 18:6 and Isaiah 43:10

[zotah]

I was amazed to find so many different ways people look at these verses.

John Ch 18:4-6 (King James Version)

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

My question that I'm getting so many different answers on is:

What exactly was the reason that When Jesus said "I am he" that made them fall backward to the ground?

The answers I'm getting have totally surprised me.

One of my christian Friends said they fell back because the officers were so surprised that Jesus didn't run away they fell backward from disbelief.

Others believe like I do that they fell back because of the power and glory of God himself speaking the words "I am he" threw them backwords.

Compare: Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

It's almost seems like the very words "I am He" is just another signature of God himself being represented.

I would like to know if there is others out there that believe that the officers fell back and landed on their be-hinds because they were just surprised that Jesus didn't run away or if you believe it was the very power of God himself and his words that through them backwards. Which would of course imply that Jesus himself is God.

I would love to hear your interpretation either way and why you believe it.

Thanks,
Zotah

 

[God&me]

I was amazed to find so many different ways people look at these verses.

John Ch 18:4-6 (King James Version)

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

My question that I'm getting so many different answers on is:

What exactly was the reason that When Jesus said "I am he" that made them fall backward to the ground?

The answers I'm getting have totally surprised me.

One of my christian Friends said they fell back because the officers were so surprised that Jesus didn't run away they fell backward from disbelief.

Others believe like I do that they fell back because of the power and glory of God himself speaking the words "I am he" threw them backwords.

Compare: Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

It's almost seems like the very words "I am He" is just another signature of God himself being represented.

I would like to know if there is others out there that believe that the officers fell back and landed on their be-hinds because they were just surprised that Jesus didn't run away or if you believe it was the very power of God himself and his words that through them backwards. Which would of course imply that Jesus himself is God.

I would love to hear your interpretation either way and why you believe it.

Thanks,
Zotah

They did fall back because of the power of God.
It still happens today.

 

[bob_jones]

If I may offer some more scripture for you to consider.

2 Kings 1:9-15
Psalms 27:2
Psalms 40:14

I believe that it was his decoration that: He is Jesus and that by the power of God the men fell.

 

[Vince53]

In Greek, you normally did not use the personal pronoun with the verb to be. In other words, Jesus would normally have said "am," and they would have understood that He meant "I am."

When translating the Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek, the translators used both the personal pronoun and the verb to be for God's Name. "Ego eime," has no exact translation. It can be translated "I I am;" "I, even I, am he;" or "I am that I am;" none of which are completely correct.

Jesus used God's Name for Himself, and the power of that Name knocked His enemies to the ground.

 

[catzrfluffy]

"When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:6)

There's nothing saying it had to be backward. They fell forward on their faces, like John does in Revelation, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last." (Revelation 1:17) or like the disciples did at the Transfiguration "When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified." (Matthew 17:6)

Here are the commentaries on the subject:

People's New Testament
18:6 They went backward, and fell to the ground. This statement of John is omitted by the other gospels. As Christ answers them, either his majesty and their own terror so impressed them, that, awed, they fell backward to the earth, or his divine power was exerted to prostrate them. Then the Lord submitted himself as a lamb to the slaughter (Isa 53:7 Jer 11:19 Ac 8:32), and his power is not again exerted until he rises from the tomb, except to heal the smitten servant of the high priest.

Wesley's Notes
18:6 As soon as he said, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground - How amazing is it, that they should renew the assault, after so sensible an experience both of his power and mercy! But probably the priests among them might persuade themselves and their attendants, that this also was done by Beelzebub; and that it was through the providence of God, not the indulgence of Jesus, that they received no farther damage.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. As soon then as he said unto them, I am He, they went backward-recoiled. and fell to the ground-struck down by a power such as that which smote Saul of Tarsus and his companions to the earth (Ac 26:14). It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. "This, occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up" [Meyer].

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

I would like to know if there is others out there that believe that the officers fell back and landed on their be-hinds because they were just surprised that Jesus didn't run away or if you believe it was the very power of God himself and his words that through them backwards. Which would of course imply that Jesus himself is God.

I would love to hear your interpretation either way and why you believe it.

Thanks,
Zotah

I don't understand the idea that Roman soldiers would fall over because Jesus said "I am He". Come on - battle hardened soldiers falling over just over words? I just can't picture that in my wildest imagination. These Romans and the Jews fell because the Holy Spirit commanded them to fall at the words of the living God - Jesus Christ!!!!