John 18:8

Jesus replied, ¹  “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for ²  me, let these men ³  go.” ⁴ 

"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."

Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,"

"I told you that I am he," Jesus said. "And since I am the one you want, let these others go."

"I told you," said Jesus, "that's me. I'm the one. So if it's me you're after, let these others go."

Jesus made answer, I have said that I am he; if you are looking for me, let these men go away.

Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go."

Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He . Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,"

Jesus replied, ¹  “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for ²  me, let these men ³  go.” ⁴ 

¹ tn Grk “Jesus answered.”

² tn Grk “if you are seeking.”

³ tn The word “men” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The translation uses the word “men” here rather than a more generic word like “people” because in context Jesus referred only to the eleven remaining disciples who were loyal to him and were present at his arrest.

⁴ sn A second time Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he,” identifying himself as the one they are seeking. Jesus also added, “If you are looking for me, let these men go.” Jesus successfully diverted attention from his disciples by getting the soldiers and officers of the chief priests to admit (twice) that it is only him they were after. Even in this hour Jesus still protected and cared for his own, giving himself up on their behalf. By handing himself over to his enemies, Jesus ensured that his disciples went free. From the perspective of the author, this is acting out beforehand what Jesus will actually do for his followers when he goes to the cross.