Why Did the Officers Go Backward & Fall to the Ground?

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

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.

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye?

And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

John 18:1-9

There is a prominent understanding in mainstream circles that Jesus/Yeshua is declaring himself to be the great I AM (also known as YHVH, who appeared to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus) in this passage.

However, I disagree, because he doesn’t say, “I am the I AM.” He simply identifies himself as being the “Jesus of Nazareth” whom they sought, twice.

But some in defense of this notion ask, why, then, did the officers back up and fall to the ground?

In their mind (because they have been indoctrinated with this idea), they see what these men had done as being an act of reverence upon hearing that they were in the presence of the great “I AM”.

However, I have a different take on the situation.

Not An Act of Reverence, But A Tactical Movement

Given that these officers were there with lanterns, torches & weapons, it seems most likely that their going backward and falling to the ground in response to their identification of him was a tactical movement to seize him — to prevent him and anyone else in his party from escaping.

Jesus responded after having just identified himself as the man these officers were seeking by asking them again who they sought.

Again, they responded, “Jesus of Nazareth”. Then, Jesus said that he had already told them he was that man, but then called upon them to let the people go that were in his company.

Notice the author of John then says “that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, ‘Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.'”

Evidently, given this commentary, the author sought to portray this scenario as men coming to seize Jesus with intentions of seizing his whole party, but Jesus made himself freely available to them and called for the release of his companions.

There is no mysterious revelation here. It’s rather plain to see, I think — when you take off the lens that has been handed down to you through the doctrines of man.