John 18 · Verse 4

John 18:4

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:4, King James Version

John 18:4 in other translations

BSBJesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
WEBJesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
ASVJesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?
YLTJesus, therefore, knowing all things that are coming upon him, having gone forth, said to them, ‘Whom do ye seek?'
DARBYJesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth and said to them, Whom seek ye?
BBEThen Jesus, having knowledge of everything which was coming on him, went forward and said to them, Who are you looking for?
WebsterJesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth, and said to them, Whom seek ye?

What does John 18:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 18:4-9
4-9. Jesus ... knowing all things that should come--were coming. upon him, went forth--from the shade of the trees, probably, into open view, indicating His sublime preparedness to meet His captors. Whom seek ye?--partly to prevent a rush of the soldiery upon the disciples [Bengel]; and see Mr 14:51, 52, as showing a tendency to this: but still more as part of that courage and majesty which so overawed them. He would not wait to be taken.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4.

(c) "knowing all things that should" Jn 10:17,18, Acts 2:28

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Jesus knowing all things, etc. - He had gone through all his preaching, working of miracles, and passion, and had nothing to do now but to offer up himself on the cross; he therefore went forth to meet them, to deliver himself up to death.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 18:1-12

Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, there the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entered into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden. Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek…

Read the full comment on John 18:1-12 →

John 18:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
οὖνounthereforeG3767
εἰδὼςeidōsknowing
πάνταpantaall thingsG3956
τὰtathatG3588
ἐρχόμεναerchomenaare comingG2064
ἐπ᾽ep᾽uponG1909
αὐτὸνautonHimG846
ἐξῆλθενexēlthenhe went outG1831
λέγειlegeispeaksG3004
αὐτοῖς·autoisto them;G846
τίναtinaWhomG5101
ζητεῖτε;zēteiteseek you?G2212

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 18:4

  • John 13:1

    Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • John 18:7

    Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Acts 2:28

    Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

  • Acts 20:22-23

    And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

  • Psalms 27:3

    Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

  • Matthew 16:21

    From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

  • John 10:17-18

    Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

  • Psalms 3:6

    I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

  • Acts 4:24-28

    And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, …

  • John 13:11

    For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

  • Proverbs 28:1

    The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
knowing.
10:17,18; 13:1; 19:28; Mt 16:21; 17:22,23; 20:18,19; 26:2,21,31
Mr 10:33,34; Lu 18:31-33; 24:6,7,44; Ac 2:28; 4:24-28; 20:22-23
Whom.
1Ki 18:10,14-18; Ne 6:11; Ps 3:6; 27:3; Pr 28:1; 1Pe 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 18:3

    Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

  • John 18:4

    Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

  • John 18:5

    They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Read all of John 18

John 18:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Empero Jesús, sabiendo todas las cosas que habían de venir sobre él, salió delante, y díjoles: ¿A quién buscáis?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Jésus donc, sachant toutes les choses qui devaient lui arriver, s’avança et leur dit: Qui cherchez-vous?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Jesus nun, der alles wußte, was über ihn kommen würde, ging hinaus und sprach zu ihnen: Wen suchet ihr?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Jesus itaque sciens omnia quæ ventura erant super eum, processit, et dixit eis: Quem quæritis?