John 18:6 — ExegesisTAB

The opening hos oun {ὡς οὖν | hōs oun} fuses temporal sequence with inference, linking this scene tightly to the preceding exchange. The main verb eipen {εἶπεν | eîpen} governs the direct quotation ego eimi {Ἐγώ εἰμι | Egō eimi}, a terse self-identification formula whose force in John is heightened by its context. The motion clause apelthon eis ta opiso {ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω | apēlthon eis ta opiso} presents retreat as a completed act; the prepositional phrase eis ta opiso {εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω | eis ta opiso} functions adverbially, so English naturally renders the movement backward rather than as a literal location. The final coordination epesan chamai {ἔπεσαν χαμαί | épesan chamai} adds a second completed action and lands the sentence with a vivid bodily result on the ground. The translation keeps the clause order and the sudden narrative rhythm while avoiding an over-literal English calque.