John 18:4

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth and said unto them, "Whom seek ye?"

John 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 18:4

Jesus therefore knowing all things
As being the omniscient God, so his knowledge reaches to all persons and things, without any limitation, and restriction; though here it has a regard to all the things,

that should come upon him;
even all the sufferings he should endure, which were all determined by God; agreed to by him, in the covenant of grace; predicted in the Old Testament, and foretold by himself: he knew all the circumstances that would attend his sufferings, as that he should be betrayed by Judas; be forsaken by the rest of his disciples; that the Jews would give him gall and vinegar in his thirst; and the soldiers part his garments among them: he knew the time of his sufferings; and that it was now at hand; and that Judas and his company were not far off: and therefore, went forth out of the garden, or at least from that part of it where he was, and his disciples with him: this was done to show his willingness to suffer; he

went forth
of his own accord; he did not hide himself in the garden, as the first Adam did: he did not stay till those that sought his life came up to him: he went forth, not to make his escape from them, but to meet them, and make himself known unto them;

and said unto them; whom seek ye?
this question was put, not out of ignorance; for he knew full well who they were seeking after: nor with a design to deceive them, and make his escape; but to show that he was not afraid of them, and that they could not have known him, nor have taken him, had he not made himself known; and offered himself to them; and which makes it appear, that he was willingly apprehended by them, and voluntarily suffered.

John 18:4 In-Context

2 And Judas also, who betrayed Him, knew the place, for Jesus oftentimes resorted thither with His disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth and said unto them, "Whom seek ye?"
5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said unto them, "I am He." And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as He had said unto them, "I am He," they went backward and fell to the ground.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.