Does knockback make creepers explode?

Twice I've attacked a creeper with my sword, which has sharpness and knockback enchantments, and twice whilst still far away from me it's exploded.

Is this coincidence or does the knock back set the creeper off/not reset the distance from Steve?

Solution 1:

I've just tested with a creeper spawner and a sword with knockback. Knockback is not the cause of the explosion.

What I think is happening to you is that the creeper is reaching the creeper event horizon - beyond which it definitely will explode, then you're hitting it. It's ending up miles away - much further away than it would be normally - then exploding.