Charles Ellicott Commentary John 18:5

"They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them." — John 18:5 (ASV)

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.—He was known to many of them (John 7:32, John 7:46, and Matthew 26:55); but this is probably an official declaration of the person whom they were charged with arresting.

I am he.—Compare the notes on John 8:28 and John 8:58.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.—He had advanced to give the signal of the kiss (John 18:4), and had again retreated, and was now standing with them. He is mentioned in accordance with the vivid impression that the fact left on the Apostle’s mind.

Judas, who had been one of them, who had been present with them, and had received bread from his Master’s hand on that very night, was now standing with the officers of the Sanhedrin and the Roman band, who had come to capture Him! The position of the words also suggests that Judas was in some way specially connected with the fact that on hearing the words I am He, they fell to the ground, as though fear passed from him to those with him.