Why did the soldiers fall down when Jesus said "I am he"?

[dailymass]

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane during His passion, when he says to the soldiers “I am he”, the soldiers fall to the ground. This is recorded in John 18:4-6: So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

My question is, why did the soldiers fall down and why was this uniquely recorded in the Gospel of St. John?

 

[lak611]

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane during His passion, when he says to the soldiers “I am he”, the soldiers fall to the ground. This is recorded in John 18:4-6: So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

My question is, why did the soldiers fall down and why was this uniquely recorded in the Gospel of St. John?

From the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary:

Joh 18:6 -
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 (Act_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].

This was proof that Jesus is Divine.

 

[MH84]

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane during His passion, when he says to the soldiers “I am he”, the soldiers fall to the ground. This is recorded in John 18:4-6: So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

My question is, why did the soldiers fall down and why was this uniquely recorded in the Gospel of St. John?

I wonder if this actually occurred, or was included as more of a support for the divinity of Jesus. Im not saying that it should not be in there because the Scriptures are inerrant. But my point is, if those soldiers fell down, how come they never realised that they should leave Him alone and not arrest Him. Because at the very least they should have realised that God was with Him. I would think if I approached someone and when he talked to me, I felt a supernatural force overpower me, I would be very afraid.

 

[teadough]

I wonder if this actually occurred, or was included as more of a support for the divinity of Jesus. Im not saying that it should not be in there because the Scriptures are inerrant. But my point is, if those soldiers fell down, how come they never realised that they should leave Him alone and not arrest Him. Because at the very least they should have realised that God was with Him. I would think if I approached someone and when he talked to me, I felt a supernatural force overpower me, I would be very afraid.

I have thought the same thing myself and I wonder if it had something to do with the soldiers believing He had powers from Satan since some of Jesus’ critics claimed that He used the power of Satan to cast out demons.
Just a thought. ,

 

[MH84]

I have thought the same thing myself and I wonder if it had something to do with the soldiers believing He had powers from Satan since some of Jesus’ critics claimed that He used the power of Satan to cast out demons.
Just a thought. ,

Thats a good point; very plausible.

 

[po18guy]

I was struck by the wording Jesus used: “I AM” (Exodus 3:14 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.’ ") This was the Lord God of Israel’s holy name, the one name the Jews avoided using for fear of blasphemy. It seemed to me that they turned and fell to the ground out of fear of God’s name being used. That, and/or fear of possibly looking upon God, even in His human nature.

There may not be any commentaries that agree with me, but why else would an armed group act in such a way when confronting Christ, who is “meek and humble of heart”?

Christ’s peace.

 

[MH84]

That leads me to another thought. Why didn’t Malchus say something after he was healed by Jesus. He should have said something at the council, especially while people were falsely accusing Jesus? I know its easy to say this from my position though. Maybe he feared he would be persecuted by the Jewish leaders.

Luke 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

www.biblegateway.com

 

[MH84]

…That, and/or fear of possibly looking upon God, even in His human nature.

I don’t think they knew He was God, otherwise they wouldnt have even thought of arresting Him.

I was struck by the wording Jesus used: “I AM” (Exodus 3:14 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.’ ") This was the Lord God of Israel’s holy name, the one name the Jews avoided using for fear of blasphemy. It seemed to me that they turned and fell to the ground out of fear of God’s name being used…

I was also wondering about this. How come whenever Jesus says “I am”, we straightaway infer that He was refering to the divine name. I mean what else could Jesus have said? Admittedly, He could have said “You have found the man” or The man you are looking for is me" etc. However, "I am he is a reasonable reply to the question they were asking (We are looking for Jesus of Nazareth (paraphrase)).

But actually this does make sense to me:

It seemed to me that they turned and fell to the ground out of fear of God’s name being used

But the guards surely did not know Jesus was God, but they were probably scared that He dared to use that Name (if that was what Jesus did).

 

[po18guy]

I don’t think they knew He was God, otherwise they wouldnt have even thought of arresting Him.

They would have run for their lives!

But actually this does make sense to me: But the guards surely did not know Jesus was God, but they were probably scared that He dared to use that Name (if that was what Jesus did).

To this day, observant Jews refer to Him by a pseudonym such as “the Divine”. In writing, they delete the vowels (L-rd and G-d), rather than even print the Holy Name. That is the reverence they maintain for His name. Back then, there was even greater fear of the name than today, it would appear.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Ne_OrangeKnight]

To this day, observant Jews refer to Him by a pseudonym such as “the Divine”. In writing, they delete the vowels (L-rd and G-d), rather than even print the Holy Name. That is the reverence they maintain for His name. Back then, there was even greater fear of the name than today, it would appear.

Christ’s peace.

Right, think of it this way. St. Paul says that at the name of Jesus (who is God), every knee shall bow. Not at His prescence, but at the mere mention of His name. From that idea, you may notice in Mass that the priest bows every time the name of Jesus is mentioned (and we’re all supposed to, as well).

So for a group of 1st century Jews to hear the name of God (I AM), it makes perfect sense that they would fall to their knees in reverence. In fact, it’s the only explanation that I’ve ever heard.

Sam, the Neon Orange Knight

 

[BluesPicker]

I believe that Jesus had been performing many Miracles, healing the sick, feeding the hungry and even raising Lazarus. Jesus was the Rightful King and High Priest. The High Priest, Herod, and Pilate all greatly feared Christ. He had taken on the mantle of all sin even sweating blood blushing so hard in shame?

I think they fell because they greatly feared  Jesus.  The only just Man  delivered Himselt to them with no show of  His Power. He was in complete submission to His Father's Will.   He could have made them fall no doubt.   This was not Jesus's Way though.   He rather we kneel in Love and Respect than to force anyone.   One day  I pray we all know for He will tell us Himself.

This is something to look forward to in Heaven. There are a lot of quiestions I have. It is my greatest hope that I have the honor of asking them.

BluesPicker

 

[juliamajor]

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane during His passion, when he says to the soldiers “I am he”, the soldiers fall to the ground. This is recorded in John 18:4-6: So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

My question is, why did the soldiers fall down and why was this uniquely recorded in the Gospel of St. John?

John’s gospel was later then the rest-theology and a higher Christology was already being used. John’s point was theological. He was pointing back to the OT when he uses the “I am” sayings then pointing to Jesus who uses the same words as Yahweh does to prove who jesus is. Just as yahweh Says"ehyeh asher ehyeh" to prove who he is.)( " I AM Who Am"). God’s Name is and was sacred an was thought to hold great power.So saying the Holy Name would 'bowl’people over.

 

[Mels]

I have thought the same thing myself and I wonder if it had something to do with the soldiers believing He had powers from Satan since some of Jesus’ critics claimed that He used the power of Satan to cast out demons.
Just a thought. ,

Or even possibly they were afraid of men more than God–they feared what would happen should they not arrest Him, like riots or punishment or something. But what you said is also plausible.

 

[jbarba]

I love this scripture, even today there is so much power in Jesus’ statement “I am”.
When Jesus said this, the power of God goes out and literally knocks down the soldiers and we’re not talking one or two here either. Further more God’s power is so great it literally raises a boy from the dead. Mark 14:51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they *seized him.
This is the typical way in which a person has been buried. Awesome, Jesus is God.

 

[quasimodo]

I was also wondering about this. How come whenever Jesus says “I am”, we straightaway infer that He was refering to the divine name. I mean what else could Jesus have said? Admittedly, He could have said “You have found the man” or The man you are looking for is me" etc. However, "I am he is a reasonable reply to the question they were asking (We are looking for Jesus of Nazareth (paraphrase)).

But actually this does make sense to me: But the guards surely did not know Jesus was God, but they were probably scared that He dared to use that Name (if that was what Jesus did).

We straight away infer it because that is how the original author meant us to infer it. It is how they wrote when they wanted you to see something important. There are countless ways to tell the story without using “I am.” They chose their words very carefully. They tell you what is important without saying it so artlessly as … “And Jesus invoked Tetragramaton.”

 

[MH84]

We straight away infer it because that is how the original author meant us to infer it. It is how they wrote when they wanted you to see something important. There are countless ways to tell the story without using “I am.” They chose their words very carefully. They tell you what is important without saying it so artlessly as … “And Jesus invoked Tetragramaton.”

How do you decide when “I am” is used to refer to the Divine Name among all the times “I am” stated in John (NIV):

John 1:21
They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

John 1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ "

John 1:27
He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

John 3:28
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’

John 4:9
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )

John 5:7
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

John 5:36
"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:41
At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

John 6:48
I am the bread of life.

John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

John 7:8
You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come."

John 7:28
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him,

John 7:29
but I know him because I am from him and he sent me."

John 7:33
Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me.

John 7:34
You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."

John 7:36
What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?"

John 8:12
The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony ] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:14
Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.

John 8:16
But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

John 8:18
I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."

John 8:21
Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

John 8:23
But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 8:24
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

John 8:28
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

John 8:38
I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father. "

John 8:46
Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?

John 8:49
“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.

John 8:50
I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.

John 8:58
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 9:9
Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

CONT.

 

[MH84]

John 10:7
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

John 10:9
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

John 10:36
what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

John 11:11
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

John 11:15
and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:32
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."

John 13:7
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

John 13:13
"You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.

John 13:18
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal ] "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’

John 13:19
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.

John 13:33
"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

John 13:36
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:4
You know the way to the place where I am going."

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:10
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

John 14:11
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

John 14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 14:20
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

John 14:28
"You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

John 15:1
The Vine and the Branches ] "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 16:5
The Work of the Holy Spirit ] "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

CONT.

 

[MH84]

John 16:7
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:10
in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;

John 16:17
The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy ] Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”

John 16:26
In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

John 16:28
I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

John 16:32
"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

John 17:9
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:13
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

John 17:14
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

John 17:21
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:24
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

John 18:6
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

John 18:8
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

John 18:17
“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”

John 18:25
Peter’s Second and Third Denials ] As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

John 18:37
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

John 19:4
Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

John 19:28
The Death of Jesus ] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

John 20:17
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ "

John 20:21
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

www.biblegateway.com

John 7:
33Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

35The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”

Anyway I do agree that when Jesus said the I am in bold (above), He was referring to the Divine Name, even if indirectly.

Why?

Because, Jesus doesn’t say “where I am going, you cannot come”, He says “Where I am -]going/-], you cannot come”. This is a hint of His pre-existence or at least that He was always God. He is saying in other words,"'Where I am already, you cannot come".

These are just my thoughts