Church Fathers Commentary John 18:3-9

"Judas then, having received the band [of soldiers], and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? 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. Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am [he]; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one." — John 18:3-9 (ASV)

Glossa Ordinaria: The Evangelist had shown how Judas had found the place where Christ was; now he relates how he went there. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

St. Augustine of Hippo: It was a band not of Jews but of soldiers, which we must understand was granted by the Governor with legal authority to take the criminal, as He was considered, and to crush any opposition that might be made.

St. John Chrysostom: But how could they persuade the band of soldiers? By hiring them, for being soldiers, they were ready to do anything for money.

Theophylact of Ohrid: They carried torches and lanterns to guard against Christ escaping in the dark.

St. John Chrysostom: They had often sent others to take Him but had not been able. From this, it is evident that He gave Himself up voluntarily. As the Gospel continues, Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said to them, Whom do you seek?

Theophylact of Ohrid: He does not ask because He needed to know, for He knew all things that would come upon Him, but because He wished to show that even though He was present, they could not see or distinguish Him. Jesus says to them, I am He.

St. John Chrysostom: He Himself had blinded their eyes. It is clear that the darkness was not the reason, because the Evangelist says that they had lanterns. However, even if they did not have lanterns, they should have at least recognized Him by His voice. And if they did not know Him, how is it that Judas, who had been with Him constantly, also did not know Him? The Scripture says, And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. Jesus did all this to show that they could not have taken Him, or even seen Him when He was in their midst, if He had not permitted it.

St. Augustine of Hippo: As soon as He said to them, I am He, they went backward. Where now is the band of soldiers? Where is the terror and defense of their weapons? Without a single blow, one word struck, drove back, and prostrated a crowd fierce with hatred and terrible with weapons.

For God was hidden in the flesh, and the eternal day was so obscured by His human body that He was sought with lanterns and torches to be killed in the darkness. What will He do when He comes to judge, who did this when He was going to be judged?

And even now, Christ says through the Gospel, I am He, and an Antichrist is expected by the Jews, so that they may go backward and fall to the ground, because in forsaking heavenly things, they desire earthly things.

St. Gregory the Great: Why is it that the elect fall on their faces, but the reprobate fall backward? It is because everyone who falls backward does not see where he falls, whereas he who falls forward sees where he falls. The wicked, when they suffer loss in invisible things, are said to fall backward because they do not see what is behind them. The righteous, however, who willingly cast themselves down in temporal things in order to rise in spiritual things, fall as it were on their faces when they humble themselves with fear and repentance, with their eyes open.

St. John Chrysostom: Lastly, so that no one could say He had encouraged the Jews to kill Him by delivering Himself into their hands, He says everything possible to reclaim them. But when they persisted in their malice and showed themselves to be inexcusable, He then gave Himself up into their hands. Then asked He them again, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He.

St. Augustine of Hippo: They had first heard, I am He, but had not understood it, because He who could do whatever He willed did not will that they should understand. If He had never permitted Himself to be taken by them, they would not have done what they came to do; but neither would He have done what He came to do.

So now, having shown His power to them when they wished to take Him and could not, He lets them seize Him so that they might be unconscious agents of His will: If you seek Me, let these go their way.

St. John Chrysostom: It is as if to say, "Though you seek Me, you have nothing to do with these disciples. Look, I am giving Myself up." Thus, even to the last hour, He shows His love for His own.

St. Augustine of Hippo: He commands His enemies, and they do what He commands; they permit those to go away whom He would not have perish.

St. John Chrysostom: The Evangelist, to show that it was not their own intention to do this but that His power accomplished it, adds the words, That the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, Of them which you have given Me, have I lost none. He had said this with reference not to temporal but to eternal death; the Evangelist, however, also understands the word in terms of temporal death.

St. Augustine of Hippo: But were the disciples never to die? Why then would He lose them, even if they died at that moment? Because they did not yet believe in Him in a saving way.