What does "I am he" Represents in John 18:6 & Isaiah 43:10?

[zotah]

I was amazed to find so many different ways people look at these verses.

John Ch 18:4-6 (King James Version)

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

My question that I'm getting so many different answers on is:

What exactly was the reason that When Jesus said "I am he" that made them fall backward to the ground?

The answers I'm getting have totally surprised me.

One of my christian Friends said they fell back because the officers were so surprised that Jesus didn't run away they fell backward from disbelief.

Others believe like I do that they fell back because of the power and glory of God himself speaking the words "I am he" threw them backwords.

Compare: Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

It's almost seems like the very words "I am He" is just another signature of God himself being represented.

I would like to know if there is others out there that believe that the officers fell back and landed on their be-hinds because they were just surprised that Jesus didn't run away or if you believe it was the very power of God himself and his words that through them backwards. Which would of course imply that Jesus himself is God.

I would love to hear your interpretation either way and why you believe it.

Thanks,
Zotah

 

[toddm]

Jesus certainly claims to be God when he says "I am" in John 8, which he was referring to Ex. 3:14. So, I would say that it's the power of God knocking them off their feet.

 

[mondar]

This has to do with the intensive use of the pronoun and verb of being. The greek word "eimi" can be translated I am, but when the pronoun "ego" is added it has an intensive meaning.

The intensive form of ego eimi does not have to be read as a claim to deity if you simply see those words. The words appear in John 1:20 when John the Baptist denies he is the Christ, and his denial is in the intensive (ego ouk eimi). Then in verse 21 when John is asked if he is "the prophet," John denies this in the normal form.

However, the way the apostle John is using the intensive form (ego eimi) in his Gospel, the context is clear that he is using it as a claim to deity.

I think the reaction of the Guards in John 18:6 in falling back is due to the fact that they believe Jesus claim that he is the divine messiah. It would the the same in James 2:19 when demons believe the Jesus is the almighty God, and they tremble. Such is a normal reaction of unbelievers when they are confronted with the almighty God right before them. Jesus was famous for doing miracles. The guards may have been aware that he even had power over death for Lazarus was recently brought out of the grave by Jesus.

They must have been courageous men, for they only fell back.

The whole thing of the intensive use of ego eimi (I am) began in Exodus 3, Isaiah makes use of it in his poetry, and the gospel of John.

 

[whirlwind]

In many examples you will see folks falling on one's face when worshipping the Lord. Here they fell backward. To me it means....they were not of God.

 

[Joe67]

In many examples you will see folks falling on one's face when worshipping the Lord. Here they fell backward. To me it means....they were not of God.

WW,

2 Thess 2:3
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; KJV

Isa 8:15
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. KJV

Isa 28:11
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. KJV

Isa 28:12
...yet they would not hear. KJV

Isa 28:13
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. KJV

Isa 42:22
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. KJV

Prov 29:8
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. KJV

Isa 28:14
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
KJV

Luke 21:35
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
KJV

Luke 21:8
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. KJV

The Spirit of Christ speaks for Jesus from his testimony. Let us not add to the testimony lest the plagues be added to us. Let us not take away from the testimony lest our portion to the city and the tree of life be taken away from us and given unto another.

Joe