In John 18:3-8, we read John’s record of this exchange. However subtle they may seem to us, Jesus’ claims to be the “I am” are significant and real. In this passage, we see that John mentioned the claim three times. Notably, when Jesus “said to them, “I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground.” Below the instances in which the claims are mentioned are highlighted in bold.
3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He.
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top image: The Kiss of Judas by Giotto di Bondone, about 1305