John 18:4
New International Version
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

New Living Translation
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.

English Standard Version
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus, knowing all things that are coming upon Him, having gone forth, also said to them, "Whom do you seek?"

King James Bible
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

New King James Version
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

New American Standard Bible
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, came out into the open and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

NASB 1995
So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

NASB 1977
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to Him, went out and said to them, “Who is it you’re looking for?"”

American Standard Version
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

English Revised Version
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Good News Translation
Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward and asked them, "Who is it you are looking for?"

International Standard Version
Then Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen, went forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"

Majority Standard Bible
Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, ?Whom are you seeking??

NET Bible
Then Jesus, because he knew everything that was going to happen to him, came and asked them, "Who are you looking for?"

New Heart English Bible
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them, "Who are you looking for?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth, and said to them, Whom seek ye?

Weymouth New Testament
Jesus therefore, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to meet them. "Who are you looking for?" He asked them.

World English Bible
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that are coming on Him, having gone forth, said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus, knowing all things that are coming upon Him, having gone forth, also said to them, "Whom do you seek?"

Young's Literal Translation
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that are coming upon him, having gone forth, said to them, 'Whom do ye seek?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Jesus then, knowing all coming upon him, having come out, said to them, Whom seek ye.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said to them: Whom seek ye?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to him, advanced and said to them, “Who are you seeking?”

New American Bible
Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus, knowing everything that was to happen, went out and said to them. Whom do you want?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Yeshua, because he knew all these things had come upon him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon him, went forth, and said to them: Whom do you seek?

Godbey New Testament
Then Jesus, knowing all things which are coming on Him, came out, says to them, Whom do you seek?

Haweis New Testament
Jesus therefore, conscious of all things that were coming upon him, going forward, said to them, Whom are ye seeking?

Mace New Testament
but Jesus who knew every thing that should happen to him, advanc'd, and said to them, who do you look for?

Weymouth New Testament
Jesus therefore, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to meet them. "Who are you looking for?" He asked them.

Worrell New Testament
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and saith to them, "Whom seek ye?"

Worsley New Testament
Upon which Jesus, who knew all that was coming upon Him, went forth and said unto them, Whom do ye seek? They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
3So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them.…

Cross References
John 10:17-18
The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. / No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

John 13:1
It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.

John 6:64
However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

John 2:24-25
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

John 12:27
Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

John 17:4
I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.

John 8:28-29
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. / He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”

John 19:28
After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

John 7:30
So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 16:19
Aware that they wanted to question Him, Jesus said to them, “Are you asking one another why I said, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’?

Matthew 26:45-46
Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. / Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

Mark 14:41-42
When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. / Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”

Luke 22:21-22
Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table. / Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Psalm 22:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?


Treasury of Scripture

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come on him, went forth, and said to them, Whom seek you?

knowing.

John 10:17,18
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again…

John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Whom.

1 Kings 18:10,14-18
As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not…

Nehemiah 6:11
And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

Psalm 3:6
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Jump to Previous
Befall Forth Forward Happening Jesus Meet Seek Want
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Befall Forth Forward Happening Jesus Meet Seek Want
John 18
1. Judas betrays Jesus.
6. The officers fall to the ground.
10. Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.
12. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15. Peter's denial.
19. Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25. Peter's second and third denial.
28. Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36. His kingdom.
40. The Jews prefer Barabbas.














Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him
This phrase highlights Jesus' omniscience and divine foreknowledge. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates awareness of His mission and the events leading to His crucifixion (John 13:1, Matthew 16:21). This knowledge underscores His willing submission to the Father's plan, fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering servant. Jesus' awareness of His impending suffering and death also reflects His role as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

stepped forward
Jesus' action of stepping forward signifies His courage and willingness to face His destiny. In the context of the Garden of Gethsemane, where this event takes place, Jesus' proactive approach contrasts with the disciples' fear and confusion. This act fulfills His earlier declaration that no one takes His life from Him, but He lays it down of His own accord (John 10:18). It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament types, such as Isaac willingly carrying the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6).

and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”
By asking this question, Jesus takes control of the situation, demonstrating His authority even in the face of arrest. This question not only reveals the intentions of the arresting party but also serves to protect His disciples, as seen in the subsequent verses where He ensures their safety (John 18:8-9). The question echoes God's inquiries throughout Scripture, such as in Genesis 3:9, where God asks Adam, "Where are you?" It invites reflection on the true identity and mission of Jesus, prompting those present to confront their understanding of Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is portrayed as fully aware of the events that are about to unfold. His divine knowledge and willingness to face His destiny are highlighted.

2. The Arresting Party
This group includes Roman soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, who come to arrest Jesus. They represent the earthly powers and religious authorities opposing Jesus.

3. Garden of Gethsemane
The location where this event takes place. It is a place of prayer and betrayal, significant in the account of Jesus' passion.

4. Judas Iscariot
Though not mentioned in this specific verse, Judas is the one who leads the arresting party to Jesus, fulfilling his role as the betrayer.

5. The Disciples
Present with Jesus in the garden, they are witnesses to His arrest and the unfolding of His path to the cross.
Teaching Points
Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty
Jesus' awareness of what is to come underscores His divine nature and the sovereignty of God over all events. Believers can trust in God's omniscience and His plan for their lives.

Courage in the Face of Adversity
Jesus steps forward to meet His arresters, demonstrating courage and resolve. Christians are called to face challenges with the same boldness, trusting in God's purpose.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
This event is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises.

The Role of Betrayal in God's Plan
Judas' betrayal, though evil, is used by God to accomplish His redemptive plan. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God can use even the darkest moments for His glory.(4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come (better, were coming) upon him.--Comp. Matthew 26:45.

Went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?--i.e., probably, went forth from the garden itself. (Comp. Note on John 18:26.) Other possible interpretations are, "went forth from the depth of the garden;" or, "went forth from the circle of the disciples standing round;" or, "went forth from the shade of the tree into the moonlight." For the word, comp. John 18:1, and Matthew 14:14). The kiss of Judas, mentioned in all the earlier Gospels, must be placed here between "went forth" and "said unto them."

For the question, comp. Matthew 26:50. Jesus will boldly face the danger, and direct it upon Himself, that the disciples may be saved from it (John 18:8). . . .

Verse 4. - Jesus then - the οϋν implies that our Lord discerned the approach of the hostile band - knowing all the things that were coming upon him - in full consciousness of his position, and in voluntary sacrifice of himself to the will of God and the purpose of his mission - went forth; i.e. from the garden enclosure - see Ver. 1 - (say Meyer and Godet); from the recesses of the garden or the garden-house (say others); partly in consequence of the language of the kinsman of Maichus," Did I not see thee in the garden?" But this is perfectly compatible with the obvious fact that the eight disciples and the favored three should have shrunk behind our Lord when he calmly emerged from the entrance to the garden, and that their position would be thus sufficiently indicated. It is remarkable that John, who has been accused of personal malice to Judas (i.e. by those who, like Renan, admit, to a certain extent, the Johan-nine authorship), does not refer to the traitor's kiss. This well-attested and traditionally sustained incident is not excluded by the narrative before us - indeed, the second reference to Judas seems to imply something special in his conduct, which is needed to account for it. We can hardly suppose that it could have taken place before the Lord Jesus had uttered his solemn word, but it may easily have occurred as the first answer to his summons. And saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Jesus,
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

knowing
εἰδὼς (eidōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

that
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

was coming
ἐρχόμενα (erchomena)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

upon
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Him,
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

stepped forward
ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

asked
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Whom
Τίνα (Tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you seeking?”
ζητεῖτε (zēteite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.


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NT Gospels: John 18:4 Jesus therefore knowing all the things that (Jhn Jo Jn)
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