When Jesus said "I AM" he was referring to the fact that he was the Messiah, which the leaders of Israel would not accept and tried to trump up any excuse to trip him up in what he said, or to interpret what he said in such a way to bring a charge against him. In no way was he saying he was YHVH = Yehovah, for if indeed he had said that plainly in front of them they would have definitely stoned him on the spot [example Stephan].
Jesus said of himself: Revelation 1:18: I AM HE that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John 19:21: THEN SAID THE CHIEF PRIESTS OF THE JEWS TO PILATE, WRITE NOT, THE KING OF THE JEWS; but that HE SAID, I AM KING OF THE JEWS.
John 18:37: Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, you say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.
Joh 18:5-6: They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I AM HE, and Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said unto them, I AM HE, they went backward, and fell to the ground........ Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM HE (the Messiah): if therefore you seek me, let these go their way:
John 15:1: I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman....... I AM the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
John 14:6: Jesus says unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:10-11: Believe you not that I AM in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father who dwells in me, HE does the works. Believe me that I AM in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14:20 At that day you shall know that I AM in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
John 13:19: Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I AM HE [the Messiah].
John 10:36: Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified - set apart, and sent into the world, you blaspheme; because I said, I AM THE SON OF GOD? - if the Jews here thought he was saying that he was Yehovah they would have stoned him to death on the spot.
John 8:28: Then said Jesus unto them, when you have lifted up the son of man, then shall you know that I AM HE, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
It is obvious here he is not calling himself Yehovah when he says I AM HE...
John 8:18: I AM one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.
John 7:33 : Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while I AM with you, and then I go unto Him that sent me.
John 5:43: I AM COME IN MY FATHER'S NAME [as THAT PROPHET mentioned by Moses], and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.
John 4:25-26: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah comes, who is called Christ - the anointed one - the Messiah: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus sats unto her, I that speak unto you AM HE.
Notice what John the baptist says about himself and Jesus:
John 3:28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Messiah, but that I am sent before him.
Luke 22:70-71: Then said they all, Are you then the Son of God? And he said unto them, You say that I AM. And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth..... And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, we found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, SAYING THE HE HIMSELF IS THE CHRIST - THE ANOINTED ONE - THE MESSIAH - A KING.
Notice: When the Jews brought Jesus before Pilate they did not accuse him of claiming to be Yehovah. That would have meant nothing to Pilate. However to claim that Jesus said he was the Messiah, a King would cause him to be in conflict with the Roman Government.
Later the Jews condemn themselves and showed they were not of the truth and did not "hear" the words of Jesus [John 18:37] when they said, "We have no King but Caesar". This showed that they rejected the one who said, "I AM He - the Messiah.
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