John 18:9

KJV

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} the saying {G3056} might be fulfilled {G4137}, which {G3739} he spake {G2036},{G3754} Of {G1537} them {G846} which {G3739} thou gavest {G1325} me {G3427} have I {G3756} lost {G622} none {G3762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This happened so that what he had said might be fulfilled, “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

Berean Standard Bible

This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”

American Standard Version

that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Serves as a profound theological explanation for Jesus' protective actions during His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He surrenders Himself to the arresting party, Jesus explicitly ensures the physical safety of His disciples, allowing them to escape. This act is presented not merely as a compassionate gesture, but as the direct fulfillment of a prior declaration by Jesus, affirming His unwavering commitment to preserve every individual whom the Father had entrusted to Him, highlighting both divine sovereignty and Jesus' faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic and pivotal account of Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following His powerful self-identification and the subsequent falling backward of the arresting party ([John 18:4-8](/john/18-4-8 "John 18:4-8 - Jesus Identifies Himself")). After this display of divine authority, Jesus, knowing what was about to happen to Him, willingly allows Himself to be taken. However, before His capture, He makes a crucial request of His captors: "Let these go their way" ([John 18:8](/john/18-8 "John 18:8 - Jesus' Request for His Disciples' Freedom")). [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") then provides the theological rationale for this specific demand, linking Jesus' physical protection of His disciples in that moment directly to a prophetic "saying" He had previously uttered. This connection underscores the intentionality and divine orchestration behind every event leading to the cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds in the Garden of Gethsemane, a familiar olive grove on the Mount of Olives, a place Jesus often visited with His disciples. The arresting party consisted of Roman soldiers and temple guards, indicating the official nature of the arrest. In Roman-occupied Judea, an arrest often meant the detention of all associated individuals, especially those considered followers or accomplices of the accused. The disciples, as followers of a condemned man, would have been vulnerable to immediate arrest, interrogation, and potential punishment. Jesus' demand for their release, therefore, was a direct intervention against the prevailing legal and military customs, showcasing His authority even in His moment of apparent weakness. This act would have been highly unusual and demonstrated a protective care that defied the typical outcome of such an event.
* **Key Themes:** [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") contributes significantly to several key themes within John's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully emphasizes **Jesus' divine authority and sovereign control**, even in the face of His impending suffering. He is not a helpless victim but one who willingly lays down His life, dictating the terms of His own arrest and the fate of His followers. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **fulfillment of prophecy and divine orchestration**. John frequently shows how events in Jesus' life align with God's preordained plan, and here, Jesus' action is explicitly stated as fulfilling His own prior words. This reinforces the trustworthiness of Jesus' declarations and the certainty of God's purposes. Thirdly, it underscores **Jesus' unwavering commitment to those the Father has given Him**. The protection of the disciples here is a tangible demonstration of His faithfulness to His mission to preserve His "sheep," a theme prevalent in His teaching, particularly in passages like [John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - Jesus' Mission to Lose None"), where He states His Father's will is that He "should lose nothing of all that he has given me," and in His High Priestly Prayer in [John 17:12](/john/17-12 "John 17:12 - Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples"), where He affirms, "While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc." In this context, it signifies the precise and complete accomplishment of a prior declaration or prophecy. Jesus' action perfectly aligns with and brings to completion what He had previously spoken.
* **gavest (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** From G1325, a prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning "to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)." Here, it refers to the Father's sovereign act of entrusting certain individuals to Jesus, highlighting the divine initiative in salvation and the special relationship between Jesus and His followers as a gift from the Father.
* **lost (Greek, _apóllymi'_):** From G622, meaning "to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively." In [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples"), it denotes the complete preservation of the disciples, ensuring that none were apprehended or allowed to perish, either physically or, more profoundly, spiritually. This word underscores the thoroughness of Jesus' protective work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That the saying might be fulfilled":** This introductory clause establishes the divine purpose behind Jesus' action. It indicates that Jesus' demand for the disciples' release was not a spontaneous reaction but a deliberate act to bring to completion a specific word He had previously spoken. This highlights the intentionality of Jesus' ministry and the sovereign plan of God unfolding through His life.
* **"which he spake":** This phrase directly refers back to Jesus' own previous declarations. It emphasizes that the fulfillment is not of an Old Testament prophecy, but of Jesus' own words concerning the preservation of His followers. This elevates the authority and reliability of Jesus' teachings and promises.
* **"Of them which thou gavest me":** This identifies the specific group of people Jesus is concerned with protecting: those whom God the Father had sovereignly "given" to Him. This concept is central to John's theology, emphasizing divine election and the intimate relationship between the Father, the Son, and those who believe. It implies a special, divinely ordained bond and responsibility.
* **"have I lost none":** This is the core declaration of preservation. Jesus affirms that, up to this point, He has not suffered the loss of any of those entrusted to Him by the Father. While the immediate context is physical preservation from arrest, the broader theological implication, as seen in Jesus' earlier teachings, extends to spiritual preservation and eternal security, with the notable exception of Judas Iscariot, who was "the son of perdition" ([John 17:12](/john/17-12 "John 17:12 - Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples")) and lost spiritually, not physically.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel masterfully employs several literary devices in [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples"). The most prominent is **Fulfillment Language**, signaled by "That the saying might be fulfilled." This phrase is a Johannine characteristic, consistently demonstrating that Jesus' life and actions are the precise outworking of God's preordained plan and His own divine declarations. It underscores the intentionality and sovereignty of God over all events, even the darkest moments of betrayal and arrest. There is also a subtle **Irony** present: at the very moment Jesus is about to be "lost" to His disciples through arrest and crucifixion, He is actively ensuring that His disciples are "lost none" to the enemy. This highlights His self-sacrificial love and His commitment to His own even in His deepest suffering. Furthermore, the physical protection of the disciples from arrest serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' greater spiritual preservation of all believers. The immediate, tangible safety granted to them points to the ultimate, eternal security He provides for all who are given to Him by the Father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") is a powerful testament to the unwavering security of those who belong to Christ, rooted in the sovereign will of the Father and the faithful guardianship of the Son. This verse connects deeply with the broader biblical themes of divine election, the Good Shepherd motif, and the perseverance of the saints. Jesus' protective act in Gethsemane is a tangible demonstration of His commitment to His Father's will—that none of those given to Him should perish. It assures believers that their ultimate spiritual destiny is secure in His hands, even when facing external threats or internal struggles. The physical preservation of the disciples serves as a microcosm of the spiritual preservation Jesus provides for all His followers, emphasizing that His care extends to every dimension of their being.

* [John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - Jesus' Mission to Lose None")
* [John 17:12](/john/17-12 "John 17:12 - Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples")
* [Hebrews 2:13](/hebrews/2-13 "Hebrews 2:13 - Jesus and the Children God Has Given Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that even in His darkest hour, facing betrayal and arrest, Jesus' primary concern was the welfare and preservation of those entrusted to Him by the Father. This demonstrates His constant, unwavering, and active care for His own. For us, this means that our security is not dependent on our strength or ability to cling to Him, but on His faithfulness to hold onto us. We can rest in the knowledge that the One who willingly laid down His life for us is also the One who promises to lose none of us. This truth provides immense peace in a world filled with uncertainties, reminding us that our ultimate spiritual destiny is eternally secure in Christ, just as His initial disciples were physically protected at Gethsemane. It calls us to trust more deeply in His sovereign plan and His protective love, knowing that His promises are always fulfilled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' protective act in Gethsemane deepen your understanding of His care for you in your own life?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's promises being fulfilled, even in challenging circumstances?**
* **How does the truth of Jesus losing none of His own impact your sense of spiritual security and assurance of salvation?**

### FAQ

**What "saying" is being fulfilled in John 18:9?**

Answer: The "saying" being fulfilled in [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") refers to Jesus' own prior declarations concerning the preservation of those whom the Father had given Him. The most direct references are found in [John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - Jesus' Mission to Lose None"), where Jesus states, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day," and in [John 17:12](/john/17-12 "John 17:12 - Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples"), within His High Priestly Prayer, where He recounts, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." Thus, [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") confirms Jesus' faithfulness to His own word and the Father's will.

**If Jesus lost "none," why was Judas Iscariot lost?**

Answer: The apparent discrepancy regarding Judas is clarified by understanding the dual nature of "losing" in John's Gospel—physical versus spiritual, and the specific context of Jesus' earlier statements. While [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") refers to the physical preservation of the disciples from arrest, Jesus' earlier statements, particularly in [John 17:12](/john/17-12 "John 17:12 - Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples"), explicitly make an exception for Judas: "none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." Judas was "lost" in a spiritual and eternal sense, fulfilling prophecy, because he was not truly "given" to Jesus by the Father in the same redemptive way as the other disciples. His betrayal was part of God's sovereign plan, but it did not negate Jesus' promise to preserve those truly belonging to Him for eternal life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the physical protection of the disciples from arrest, but in Jesus' complete and eternal preservation of all who are given to Him by the Father. This Gethsemane moment is a tangible, earthly demonstration of His deeper, spiritual mission. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")), and His promise to "lose none" extends far beyond physical safety to encompass eternal salvation and security. His High Priestly Prayer in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer") powerfully articulates His desire and commitment to keep His own, sanctify them, and ultimately bring them to be with Him where He is. The cross, though seemingly a moment of loss for Jesus, was the very means by which He secured the eternal preservation of His people, overcoming sin and death. He defeated the one who had the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")), ensuring that those whom the Father gave Him would never perish but have everlasting life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, [John 18:9](/john/18-9 "John 18:9 - Jesus Protects His Disciples") foreshadows the comprehensive and eternal security that Christ provides through His atoning work, guaranteeing that no one who truly belongs to Him will ever be snatched from His hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 17:12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.