John 18 · Verse 8

John 18:8

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
John 18:8, King James Version

John 18:8 in other translations

BSB“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”
WEBJesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,”
ASVJesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
YLTJesus answered, ‘I said to you that I am he; if, then, me ye seek, suffer these to go away;'
DARBYJesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go away;
BBEJesus made answer, I have said that I am he; if you are looking for me, let these men go away.
WebsterJesus answered, I have told you that I am he: If therefore ye seek me, let these go away:

What does John 18:8 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…

Read the full comment on John 18:4-9 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. Let these go their way. These apostles. This shows his care and love even in the hour of danger. He expected to die. They were to carry the news of his death to the ends of the earth. Hence he, the faithful Captain of salvation, went foremost into trials; he, the Good Shepherd, secured the safety of the flock, and went before them into danger. By the question which he asked those who came out against him, he had secured the safety of his apostles. He was answered that they sought for him. He demanded that, agreeably to their declaration, they should take him only, and leave his followers at liberty. The wisdom, caution, and prudence of Jesus forsook him in no peril, however sudden, and in no circumstances, however difficult or trying.

(f) "I am he" Isa 53:6, Eph 5:25

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 Let these go their way - These words are rather words of authority, than words of entreaty. I voluntarily give myself up to you, but you must not molest one of these my disciples. At your peril injure them. Let them go about their business. I have already given you a sufficient proof of my power: I will not exert it in my own behalf, for I will lay down my life for the sheep; but I will not permit you to injure the least of these. It was certainly the supreme power of Christ that kept the soldiers and the mob from destroying all the disciples present, when Peter had given them such provocation, in cutting off the ear of Malchus. There were probably no other disciples with Christ than Peter, James, and John, at this time. see Mat 26:37; Mar 13:33.

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 18:8 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.

ἀπεκρίθηapekrithēAnsweredG611
Ἰησοῦς·IēsousJesus;G2424
εἶπονeiponI have toldG2036
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐγώegōI myselfG1473
εἰμι.eimiam [He].G1510
εἰeiIfG1487
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ἐμὲemeMe myselfG1473
ζητεῖτε,zēteiteyou seek,G2212
ἄφετεaphetedo allowG863
τούτουςtoutoustheseG3778
ὑπάγειν·hupageinto go away;G5217

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

Cross references for John 18:8

  • John 10:28

    And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

  • Ephesians 5:25

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

  • John 13:36

    Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

  • John 16:32

    Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

  • Mark 14:50-52

    And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
if.
Isa 53:6; Eph 5:25
let.
10:28; 13:1,36; 16:32; Mt 26:56; Mr 14:50-52; 1Co 10:13; 2Co 12:9
1Pe 5:7

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

Context

  • John 18:7

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

  • John 18:8

    Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

  • John 18:9

    That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Read all of John 18

John 18:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Respondió Jesús: Os he dicho que yo soy: pues si á mí buscáis, dejad ir á éstos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Jésus répondit: Je vous ai dit que c’est moi; si donc vous me cherchez, laissez aller ceux-ci,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jesus antwortete: Ich habe euch gesagt, daß ich es bin; wenn ihr nun mich suchet, so laßt diese gehen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Respondit Jesus: Dixi vobis, quia ego sum: si ergo me quæritis, sinite hos abire.