What does 'I am' mean in the context of Jesus's identity?

When Jesus responds with 'I am' in John 18:6, He is not just stating His name but asserting His divine identity, echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14. This is a crucial affirmation of His oneness with God the Father and His role as the incarnate deity. The reaction of those who sought to arrest Him, as they fell back at His declaration, underscores the power in His identity and the divine authority He possesses. It reaffirms the Christian belief that Jesus is not merely a prophet or teacher but God manifested in flesh, sovereign over all creation and worthy of worship.