John 18:6 (WEB)
When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward and fell to the ground.
Catechism · 1
“Hence the sovereign freedom of God's Son as he went out to his death.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Jn 18:4-6; Mt 26:53.
Fathers and councils · 28
Gregory of Nyssa
“…and when those who were armed with swords and staves drew near to Him on the night before His Passion, He caused them all to go backward by saying “I am He,” and again, when the dying thief besought Him to remember him, He showed His universal sovereignty by saying, “To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”” — editor's note: S. John xviii. 5–6.
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Augustine of Hippo
““They became weak, and fell.”” — editor's note: [A minute prophecy. John xviii. 6.—C.]
Read the whole comment“For had He not willed to lie hid neither could He have died, since in one moment of time one drop only of His Power, if indeed it is to be called a drop, He put forth, when they wished to seize Him, and at His one question, “Whom seek ye?” they all went back and fell to the ground.” — editor's note: John xviii. 4, 6.
Read the whole comment“Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way; that the saying might be fulfilled which He spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.”” — editor's note: John xviii. 4–9. [This passage is more naturally placed before the kissing by Judas.—R.]
Read the whole comment“On hearing this saying, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”” — editor's note: John xviii. 4–6.
Read the whole comment“That manifestation, however, they did not withstand, but “going backwards, they fell to the ground.”” — editor's note: John xviii. 6.
Read the whole comment“Whence also that, brethren, where He says to those that seek Him, “I am He;” and they, going backward, all fell to the ground?” — editor's note: John xviii. 6.
Read the whole comment“When they heard this voice, “they went back and fell to the ground.”” — editor's note: John xviii. 6.
Read the whole comment“By one answer of His they were prostrated in the dust: when they were asked, “Whom seek ye?” they said, “Jesus;” and on His saying to them, “I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”” — editor's note: Chap. xviii. 4–6.
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John Chrysostom
“He that said, “Whom seek ye?” ( c. xviii. 6 ) and cast them backward?” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And yet by merely saying, “Whom seek ye?” ( c. xviii. 4, 6 ) He cast them down backwards.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Yet in truth He did but ask those who came to take Him a question, and cast them backwards. ( c. xviii. 6.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth.”” — editor's note: Ver. 5, 6. “They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I Am. And Judas also which betrayed Him stood with them. As soon then as He had said…
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Catena Aurea on John
- Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on John
The Evangelist had shewn how Judas had found out the place where Christ was, now he relates how he went there. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
It was a band not of Jews, but of soldiers, granted, we must understand, by the Governor, with legal authority to take the criminal, as He was considered, and crush any opposition that might be made.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But how could they persuade the band? By hiring them; for being soldiers, they were ready to do any thing for money.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on John
They carry torches and lanterns, to guard against Christ escaping in the dark.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
They had often sent elsewhere to take Him, but had not been able. Whence it is evident that He gave Himself up voluntarily; as it follows, Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth,…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on John
He asks not because He needed to know, for He knew all things that should come upon Him; but because He wished to shew, that though present, they could not see or distinguish Him: Jesus saith unto them, I am He.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
He Himself had blinded their eyes. For that darkness was not the reason is clear, because the Evangelist says that they had lanterns. Though they had not lanterns, however, they should at least have recognised Him by…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
As soon then as He said unto them, I am He, they went backtward. Where now is the band of soldiers, where the terror and defence of arms? Without a blow, one word struck, drove back, prostrated a crowd fierce with…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on John
Why is this, that the Elect fall on their faces, the reprobate backward? Because every one who falls back, sees not where he falls, whereas he who falls forward, sees where he falls. The wicked when they suffer loss…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Lastly, lest any should say that He had encouraged the Jews to kill Him, in delivering Himself into their hands, He says every thing that is possible to reclaim them. But when they persisted in their malice, and…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
They had heard at the first, I am He, but had not understood it; because He who could do whatever He would, willed not that they should. But had He never permitted Himself to be taken by them, they would not have…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
As if to say, Though ye seek Me, ye have nothing to do with these: lo, I give Myself up: thus even to the last hour does He shew His love for His own.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
He commands His enemies, and they do what He commands; they permit them to go away, whom He would not have perish.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
The Evangelist, to shew that it was not their design to do this, but that His power did it, adds, That the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, Of them which Thou hast given Me, have I lost none. He had said…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
But were the disciples never to die? Why then would He lose them, even if they died then? Because they did not yet believe in Him in a saving way.
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Cross-references · 22
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 37.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 27.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 37.
Cited together in Catechism §609 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Catechism §609.
Cited together in Catechism §609.