I was amazed to find so many different ways people look at these verses.

John Ch 18:4-6 (King James Version)

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.

My question that I'm getting so many different answers on is:

What exactly was the reason that When Jesus said "I am he" that made them fall backward to the ground?

The answers I'm getting have totally surprised me.

One of my christian Friends said they fell back because the officers were so surprised that Jesus didn't run away they fell backward from disbelief.

Others believe like I do that they fell back because of the power and glory of God himself speaking the words "I am he" threw them backwords.

Compare: Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

It's almost seems like the very words "I am He" is just another signature of God himself being represented.

I would like to know if there is others out there that believe that the officers fell back and landed on their be-hinds because they were just surprised that Jesus didn't run away or if you believe it was the very power of God himself and his words that through them backwards. Which would of course imply that Jesus himself is God.

I would love to hear your interpretation either way and why you believe it.

Thanks,
Zotah

Exodus 3:14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 

Jesus Christ - The I AM
Excerpt from study of The Gospel of John
by A.S. Copley

Judas led the van, which the Lord comes forward to meet. He was not shunning the cross. It was the objective of His birth. The MUST of His incarnation made way for the MUST of His execution. The Lord enquires, "Whom seek ye?" When they answer, "Jesus the Nazarene," He says, "I am," and they all fall backward to the ground, as tho' a bolt of lighting had struck them. Thus they are warned that He is no ordinary man, but the eternal Son of God as He witnessed;

The Deity of Christ is emphasized in this Gospel Record especially. He affirms Himself to be eight certain objects, in each of which He says, "I Am."

1. "I AM the Bread of life, the living Bread which came down from heaven" Chap. 6:35,41,51.

2. "I AM the Light of the world" Chap. 8:12 & 9:5 & 12:46.

3. "I AM the Good Shepherd" Chap. 10:11.

4. "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" Chap. 11:25.

5. "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life" Chap. 14:6.

6. "I AM the True Vine" Chap. 15:1,5. He had said (indirectly),

7. "I AM the Messias" Chap. 4:25,26. The Jews opposed Him bitterly and sought to kill Him because He declared Himself to be the Son of God. They said, "Thou art not fifty years old." Then He answered, "Before Abraham was, I AM" Chap. 8:58. When the officers were about to seize Him for crucifixion, Jesus said to them,

8. "I AM," and they went backward and fell to the ground Chap. 18:5,6. Finally, Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" He answered him saying, "Thou sayest it, because I AM a King. To this end was I born" Chap. 18:33,37. The first, the fourth and the last express three of His offices. The second and third remind us of the showbread and candlestick in Moses' Tabernacle.

Where did this person go?

I wonder if they got saved and raptured?