The reply of Jesus, “I am he,” or more literally, “I am” (εγω ειμι, 18:5), not only identifies him as the
Nazorean but resonates with all his previous “I am” predications, especially with
his absolute statements that “I am.” Believing in Jesus as “I am” means
believing in him as the revealer of the Father, who offers believers
life. Jesus told his Jewish adversaries that they would “die” in their sins if
they do not “believe” that “I am” (8:24). When they lift up Jesus as the Son of
Man in crucifixion, then they will know that “I am,” that Jesus does nothing of
his own, but says or reveals only what the Father taught him (8:28). Jesus
knows the Father and keeps his word, for as he tells the Jews, “Before Abraham
came to be, I am” (8:57). He told his disciples about his betrayal (13:18)
before it happened, so that when it happened they might believe that “I am”
(13:19). In replying “I am,” and surrendering himself to his opponents as the
Nazoreans to be put to death, Jesus is ironically giving them, his disciples,
and the audience and opportunity to believe in him as “I am,” the one who
reveals the Father and gives Life.
The parenthetical note that “Judas his betrayer was also
standing with them” (18:5) indicates his continuing unbelief despite this
opportunity to believe in Jesus as “I am.” Indeed, Judas has completed his separation
from Jesus and his disciples. He is no longer “with his disciples” (μετα των μαθητων αυτου, 18:2) but has now associated himself “with
them” (μετ’ αυτων) his fellow opponents, who along with
Judas represent the powers of evil and unbelief.
The emphatic expression “they withdrew backwards” (απηλθον εις τα οπισω) when Jesus pronounced his powerful “I
am” (18:6) underlines the unbelief of Judas, the Roman soldiers, and the Jewish
officers. Earlier, when many of his disciples “murmured” and were scandalized
(6:60-61) by Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse (6:22-59), he declared that “there
are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning those
who would not believe and who would betray him (6:64). Coming to him in faith
must be granted by the Father (6:65). Many of his disciples then confirmed the
words of Jesus and demonstrated their unbelief as “they withdrew backwards” (απηλθον εις τα οπισω) and no longer went around with him (6:66).
That his opponents “withdrew backwards and fell to the
ground” (18:6) at the “I am” of Jesus illustrates his superior power and points
to his ultimate victory over the large group of evil forces who have come with
weapons to arrest him and lead him to death. This brings the irony of this unit
(18:4-6) to a climax. By his “I am” Jesus both surrendered himself and revealed
his profound identity as the revealer of God. Although this resulted not
in belief but in emphatic unbelief, it assures the audience that Jesus rather
than his evil, unbelieving adversaries is in ultimate control. (John Paul Heil,
Blood and Water: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus in John 18-21 [The Catholic
Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series 27; The Catholic Biblical Association of America,
1995; repr., Eugene, Oreg.: Pickwick Publications, 2023], 21-22)
