John 4:28

4:28 Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people, ¹ 

John 5:15

5:15 The man went away and informed the Jewish leaders ²  that Jesus was the one who had made him well.

John 6:66

Peter’s Confession

6:66 After this many of his disciples quit following him ³  and did not accompany him ⁴  any longer.

John 6:68

6:68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

John 11:46

11:46 But some of them went to the Pharisees ⁵  and reported to them ⁶  what Jesus had done.

John 18:6

18:6 So when Jesus ⁷  said to them, “I am he,” they retreated ⁸  and fell to the ground. ⁹ 

[4:28]  ¹ tn The term ἄνθρωποι (anqrwpoi) used here can mean either “people” (when used generically) or “men” (though there is a more specific term in Greek for adult males, ανήρ [anhr]). Thus the woman could have been speaking either (1) to all the people or (2) to the male leaders of the city as their representatives. However, most recent English translations regard the former as more likely and render the word “people” here.

[5:15]  ² tn Or “the Jewish authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” See the note on the phrase “Jewish leaders” in v. 10.

[6:66]  ³ tn Grk “many of his disciples went back to what lay behind.”

[6:66]  ⁴ tn Grk “were not walking with him.”

[11:46]  ⁴ sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24.

[11:46]  ⁵ tn Grk “told them.”

[18:6]  ⁵ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

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

[18:6]  ⁷ 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.