John 20:10

Jesus’ Appearance to Mary Magdalene

20:10 So the disciples went back to their homes.

John 6:66

Peter’s Confession

6:66 After this many of his disciples quit following him ¹  and did not accompany him ²  any longer.

John 11:46

11:46 But some of them went to the Pharisees ³  and reported to them ⁴  what Jesus had done.

John 18:6

18:6 So when Jesus ⁵  said to them, “I am he,” they retreated ⁶  and fell to the ground. ⁷ 

John 6:22

6:22 The next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake ⁸  realized that only one small boat ⁹  had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded ¹⁰  it with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.

[6:66]  ¹ tn Grk “many of his disciples went back to what lay behind.”

[6:66]  ² tn Grk “were not walking with him.”

[11:46]  ¹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24.

[11:46]  ² tn Grk “told them.”

[18:6]  ¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:6]  ² tn Grk “moved back” (but here a fairly rapid movement is implied).

[18:6]  ³ sn When Jesus said to those who came to arrest him “I am,” they retreated and fell to the ground. L. Morris says that “it is possible that those in front recoiled from Jesus’ unexpected advance, so that they bumped those behind them, causing them to stumble and fall” (John [NICNT], 743-44). Perhaps this is what in fact happened on the scene; but the theological significance given to this event by the author implies that more is involved. The reaction on the part of those who came to arrest Jesus comes in response to his affirmation that he is indeed the one they are seeking, Jesus the Nazarene. But Jesus makes this affirmation of his identity using a formula which the reader has encountered before in the Fourth Gospel, e.g., 8:24, 28, 58. Jesus has applied to himself the divine Name of Exod 3:14, “I AM.” Therefore this amounts to something of a theophany which causes even his enemies to recoil and prostrate themselves, so that Jesus has to ask a second time, “Who are you looking for?” This is a vivid reminder to the reader of the Gospel that even in this dark hour, Jesus holds ultimate power over his enemies and the powers of darkness, because he is the one who bears the divine Name.

[6:22]  ¹ tn Or “sea.” See the note on “lake” in v. 16.

[6:22]  ² tc Most witnesses have after “one” the phrase “which his disciples had entered” (ἐκεῖνο εἰς ὃ ἐνέβησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, ekeino ei" }o enebhsan Joi maqhtai autou) although there are several permutations of this clause ([א* D] Θ [˹³ 33] Ï [sa]). The witnesses that lack this expression are, however, significant and diffused (Ì⁷⁵ א² A B L N W Ψ 1 565 579 1241 al lat). The clarifying nature of the longer reading, the multiple variants from it, and the weighty testimony for the shorter reading all argue against the authenticity of the longer text in any of its variations.

[6:22]  ³ tn Grk “entered.”