Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Parallel translations
- KJV Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
- BSB So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
- ESV So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
- NKJV Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
- NASB He then asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
- NLT Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus again asks whom they seek, and they repeat, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' He calmly resumes control of the encounter.
Overview
After the arresting party has fallen back, Jesus, undeterred, repeats his question. His composure contrasts with their confusion. The repetition sets up his next words securing the safety of his disciples, and continues to show that Jesus orchestrates the events of his arrest rather than being overwhelmed by them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- John 18:4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
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John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
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Original language
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