Easter page 2

JOHN 18:3-6 - So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I AM.” . . . When Jesus said, “I AM,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Most translations of the Bible understate and diminish what happened on the night when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here are three parts of the story that become much more powerful when the missing details are added.

1. An Entire Cohort of Roman Soldiers Was Sent to Arrest Jesus!
An exceedingly large number of soldiers were sent to arrest Jesus. The original Greek text uses the word "speiren,". This word denotes a cohort (480 to 600 soldiers). The Jewish religious leaders and the Romans had heard about Jesus' supernatural power and were taking no chances! The NASB and AMP correctly translate the Greek word "speiren" as a cohort. But since this Roman military term is unfamiliar to modern readers, other translations opt for vague words like "band, contingent, detachment, squad, or company." The trouble with these vague words is that they give no indication of the exceedingly large number of soldiers that were sent to arrest Jesus! (Whenever there is a poor translation, why is it almost always in the direction of minimizing God - never building Him higher?!!!!)

2. Jesus Boldly Declared His Divinity By Saying, "I AM!"
Jesus repeatedly used the phrase "I AM" throughout his ministry to proclaim His divinity. This phrase comes from the Exodus 3 "Burning Bush" event when Moses asked God what His name was. God replied,

"I AM who I AM ... This is my Name forever, the Name you shall call Me from generation to generation."

Jesus boldly used the "I AM" phrase when He preached and also on the night He was arrested. All of the Jews understood what the phrase "I AM" means. They understood that Jesus was boldly claiming to be equal to God. For example, at the end of John chapter 8 the Jews were so incensed when Jesus said, "I AM!" that they attempted to stone Him to death for blasphemy! But somehow modern Christians have forgetten what the phrase "I AM" really stands for. Consequently most of our Bibles have watered-down translations like John 18:5 KJV (Authorized Version): "Jesus saith unto them, I am he." That is NOT what Jesus said. When the Roman soldiers asked which person was Jesus, He said, "I AM!"

The original Greek text is "ego eimi." The Greek word "ego" means "I" and the Greek word "eimi" means "AM." But the KJV translates this phrase as "I am he.". Note that the word he appears in italics. The KJV uses italics to indicate words that were added by the translators and that do not appear in the original text. These added words were intended to clarify the meaning of the text. But in this case it completely nullifies Jesus' bold statement of His divinity. Unfortunately, most English translations follow the pattern set down by the venerable KJV Authorized Version. Out of 21 translations that I checked, only 3 correctly translated the phrase in John 18:5 and 18:6 as "I AM." Watered-down translations of "I AM" also predominate for Jesus' 7 famous "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John.

3. All of the Roman Soldiers Fell to the Ground!
(John 18:6) When Jesus proclaimed, "I AM" to the cohort of Roman soldiers sent to arrest him, they all fell to the ground! It is important to get this part of the story right - particularly for children - because it clearly shows in a way they can understand that Jesus was not taken captive; He leveled hundreds of Roman soldiers to the ground with just two words from His mouth! The soldiers didn't capture Jesus; He allowed himself to be taken. Most Bible translations get the part about the soldiers falling to the ground right. But I've never heard it mentioned in a sermon. In addition, how most Christians visualize the arrest of Jesus is largely based on what they've seen in Easter movies or pageants. Have you ever seen 480 to 600 soldiers in an Easter movie or rpageant fall to the ground when Jesus says "I AM!" ? Neither have I. Just imagine the huge visual impact that such a scene would have on a young audience!

The Bottom Line -
Whether by Bible translators or Hollywood, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, accounts of the arrest of Jesus consistently understate what really happened. Now you know the true story of Jesus' arrest.