Later text
John 18:5-6BSB
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Intertextuality Pair
John 18:5-6 → Exodus 3:14
Allusion
Earlier text
Exodus 3:14BSB
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
+ 3 more earlier texts
Earlier text
Ezekiel 1:28BSB
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.
Earlier text
Psalms 27:2BSB
When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
Earlier text
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king declares, 'Come down!'" Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, "Man of God, the king declares, 'Come down at once!'" Again Elijah replied, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, "Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants please be precious in your sight. Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight."
Significance
"I am" (ego eimi) probably has connotations of deity (Ridderbos). Strongly suggested by soldiers' falling to ground—common reaction to divine revelation (Ezekiel 1:28; 44:4; Daniel 2:46; 8:18; 10:9; Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14; Revelation 1:17; 19:10; 22:8). Falling reminiscent of certain Psalm passages (27:2; 35:4; cf. 56:9; also Elijah's experience 2 Kings 1:9-14). Jewish literature recounts similar story of attempted arrest of Simeon (Genesis Rabbah 91:6). Reaction highlights Jesus' messianic authority, in keeping with texts like Isaiah 11:4 (cf.
- Found via
- G.K. Beale & D.A. Carson, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
- Reference Type
- Allusion
- Connection Method(s)
- Longitudinal Theme