Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 18:5-6

"They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground." — John 18:5-6 (ASV)

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.

It seems as if our Lord intended to let them realize something of his divine power and glory, for the utterance of that august expression, I am, which is his Father's name, staggered them, and they fell to the ground. Do you not wonder that they did not rise up, and go away and leave him after they had fallen at his feet and asked his forgiveness? They did not act that way, for the power of fear when it is not accompanied by love is very small. There was enough power in it to make them fall down to the ground, but there was not power enough in it to make them fall at Christ's feet confessing their sin.

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.

Jesus saith unto them, I am; as if appropriating to himself the name of Jehovah, and they went backward, and fell to the ground, astounded and confounded. Even though he restrained his omnipotence, he claimed the omnipotent name I AM, and before the majesty of that name they prostrated themselves on the ground.