Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:3
Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
3. Judas then ] Better, Judas therefore; S. John’s favourite particle, as in Joh 18:4 ; Joh 18:6-7 ; Joh 18:10-12 ; Joh 18:16-17 ; Joh 18:19 ; Joh 18:24 ; Joh 18:27-29 ; Joh 18:31 ; Joh 18:33 ; Joh 18:37 ; Joh 18:40. It was because Judas knew that Jesus often went thither that he came thither to take Him. “Our English version gives little idea of the exactness of the description which follows.” S. p. 241.
a band of men ] Rather, the band of soldiers. This is one part of the company; Roman soldiers sent to prevent ‘an uproar’ among the thousands of pilgrims assembled to keep the Passover (see on Mat 26:5). The word for band, speira, seems elsewhere in N.T. to mean ‘cohort,’ the tenth of a legion (Mat 27:27; Mar 15:16; Act 10:1; Act 21:31; Act 27:1), and with this Polybius (xi. xxi. 1; [xxiii. 1]) agrees. But Polybius sometimes (vi. xxiv. 5, xv. ix. 7, III. cxiii. 3) appears to use speira for ‘maniple,’ the third part of a cohort and about 200 men. In any case only a portion of the cohort which formed the garrison of the fortress of Antonia can here be meant: but that the arrest of Jesus was expected to produce a crisis is shewn by the presence of the chief officer of the cohort ( Joh 18:12). The Jewish hierarchy had no doubt communicated with Pilate, and his being ready to try the case at so early an hour as 5 a.m. may be accounted for in this way.
officers from the chief priests and Pharisees ] i.e. from the Sanhedrin. These may have been either officers of justice appointed by the Sanhedrin, or a portion of the Levitical temple-police: that some of the latter were present is clear from Luk 22:4; Luk 22:52. This is a second part of the company. S. Luke (Luk 22:52) tells us that some of the chief priests themselves were there also. Thus there were (1) Roman soldiers, (2) Jewish officials, (3) chief priests.
with lanterns and torches ] The ordinary equipment for night duty, which the Paschal full-moon would not render useless. It was possible that dark woods or buildings would have to be searched. The word for ‘lantern,’ phanos, occurs here only in N.T.; and here only is lampas rendered ‘torch;’ elsewhere either ‘light’ (Act 20:8) or ‘lamp’ (Mat 25:1-8; Rev 4:5; Rev 8:10). ‘Torch’ would perhaps be best in all cases, even in Mat 25:1-8, leaving ‘lamp’ free as the translation of luchnos (Joh 5:35; Mat 5:15; Mat 6:22; Mar 4:21; Luk 8:16; Luk 11:33-34; Luk 11:36, &c.) for which ‘light’ and ‘candle’ are either inadequate or misleading. Torches were fed with oil carried in a vessel (Mat 25:4) for the purpose.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A band – See the notes at Mat 26:47; Mat 27:27. John passes over the agony of Jesus in the garden, probably because it was so fully described by the other evangelists.
Lanterns … – This was the time of the full moon, but it might have been cloudy, and their taking lights with them shows their determination to find him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. A band] , The band or troop. Some think that the spira was the same as the Roman cohort, and was the tenth part of a legion, which consisted sometimes of 4200, and sometimes of 5000 foot. But Raphelius, on Mt 27:27, has clearly proved, from Polybius, that the spira was no more than a tenth of the fourth part of a legion. And as the number of the legion was uncertain, and their divisions not at all equal, no person can tell how many the band or spira contained. See many curious particulars in Raphelius on this point, vol. i. p. 351, edit. 1747. This band was probably those Roman soldiers given by the governor for the defense of the temple; and the officers were those who belonged to the Sanhedrin.
With lanterns and torches] With these they had intended to search the corners and caverns, provided Christ had hidden himself; for they could not have needed them for any other purpose, it being now the fourteenth day of the moon’s age, in the month Nisan, and consequently she appeared full and bright. The weapons mentioned here were probably no other than clubs, staves, and instruments of that kind, as we may gather from Mt 26:55; Mr 14:48; Lu 22:52. The swords mentioned by the other evangelists were probably those of the Roman soldiers; the clubs and staves belonged to the chief priest’s officers.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The evangelist here passeth over all mentioned by the other evangelists about Judass going to the high priests, and contracting with them, and cometh to relate his coming to apprehend him with a band of men that he had obtained from the chief priests and Pharisees for that purpose. By band we must not understand a Roman cohort, as the word signifies, but such a convenient number out of that band (probably) which at the time of the passover guarded the temple, as was sufficient to take him: they came with
lanterns and torches, ( though it were the time of full moon), to make the strictest search; and with weapons, fearing where no fear was; for Judas (their leader) could have told them that he was not wont to go with any great company to the mount of Olives.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Judas then“He thatwas called Judas, one of the Twelve,” says Luke (Lu22:47), in language which brands him with peculiar infamy, as inthe sacred circle while in no sense of it.
a band of men“thedetachment of the Roman cohort on duty at the festival for thepurpose of maintaining order” [WEBSTERand WILKINSON].
officers from the chiefpriests and Phariseescaptains of the temple and armed Levites.
lanterns and torchesItwas full moon, but in case He should have secreted Himself somewherein the dark ravine, they bring the means of exploring itshiding-placeslittle knowing whom they had to do with. “Now hethat betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shallkiss, that same is He, hold Him fast” (Mt26:48). The cold-bloodedness of this speech was only exceeded bythe deed itself. “And Judas went before them [Lu22:47], and forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master,and kissed Him” (Mt 26:49;compare Exo 4:27; Exo 18:7;Luk 7:45). The impudence of thisatrocious deed shows how thoroughly he had by this time mastered allhis scruples. If the dialogue between our Lord and His captors wasbefore this, as some interpreters think it was, the kiss ofJudas was purely gratuitous, and probably to make good his right tothe money; our Lord having presented Himself unexpectedly beforethem, and rendered it unnecessary for any one to point Him out. But acomparison of the narratives seems to show that our Lord’s “comingforth” to the band was subsequent to the interview ofJudas. “And Jesus said unto him, Friend”not theendearing term “friend” (in Joh15:15), but “companion,” a word used on occasions ofremonstrance or rebuke (as in Mat 20:13;Mat 22:12) “Wherefore artthou come?” (Mt 26:50).”Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss”imprintingupon the foulest act the mark of tenderest affection? What woundedfeeling does this express! Of this Jesus showed Himself onvarious occasions keenly susceptibleas all generous and beautifulnatures do.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Judas then having received a band of men,…. From the captain of this band, who in Joh 18:12; is called a “Chiliarch”, that is, a commander of a thousand men, one might conclude there were so many in this band; but it seems, that such an officer might have two bands under his command; and if this was, the case, there were at least five hundred men in this company; a large number indeed, to take an unarmed person; and yet, as if this was not sufficient, it is added,
and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees; servants that belong to each of these, and who seem to be a considerable number also; for these are said to be “a great multitude”; Mt 26:47; nay, not only so, but the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders of the people, were themselves among them, Lu 22:52; to see that the men did their work, and did not return without him; as these officers, when sent by them once before, did:
cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons: , which is no other than the Greek word here used for a lantern, the Jews tell us u, was an earthen vessel, in which a candle was put and covered, that the wind might not put it out, and it had holes in the sides of it, through which light was let out; their , or “lamp”, here rendered “torch”, they say w, was also an earthen vessel in the form of a reed, at the top of which was a proper receptacle, in which they burnt old rags dipped in oil: now though it was full moon, being the time of the passover, they brought these along with them to discover him by the light of, and find him out with them, if he should hide himself among the trees, or in any of the more shady places in the garden; and they took warlike instruments, as swords, spears, and staves, as if they had a thief or a murderer to apprehend, or a little army of men to encounter with; whereas there were only Christ, and his eleven disciples; and these in no condition, nor had any design, to defend themselves in an hostile manner.
u Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Celim, c. 2. sect. 4. w Ib. in sect. 8.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The band of soldiers ( ). No word for “of soldiers” in the Greek, but the Latin spira (roll or ball) was used for a military cohort (Polybius 11, 23, 1) as in Matt 27:27; Acts 10:1, etc., here for a small band secured from the Tower of Antonia. The Synoptics do not mention the soldiers, but only the “officers” as here ( for which see Matt 26:58; Mark 14:54; Mark 14:65) or temple police from the Sanhedrin.
Cometh (). Dramatic historical present middle indicative.
With lanterns and torches ( ). Both old words, only here in N.T., , an oil lamp (Mt 25:1). It was full moon, but Judas took no chances for it may have been cloudy and there were dark places by the walls and under the olive trees. is accompanied with
and weapons ( ). Mark (Mr 14:43) mentions “swords and staves.” Probably the temple guard had weapons as well as the soldiers.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
A band (thn speiran). Properly, the band. See on Mr 14:16; also on centurion, Luk 7:2; and Act 21:31. The band, or cohort, was from the Roman garrison in the tower of Antonia.
Officers [] . See on Mt 5:25. Sent from the Sanhedrim. The temple police. The Synoptists speak of the body which arrested Jesus as oclov, a multitude or rabble; but both Matthew and Mark mention the band [] later in the narrative (Mt 27:27; Mr 14:16).
Lanterns [] . Only here in the New Testament. A detail peculiar to John. Though it was full moon, it was feared that Jesus might hide and escape.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Judas then,” (ho oun loudas) “Then the Judas,” known as the son of Simon of Iscariot, Joh 6:71; Joh 12:4.
2) “Having received a band,” (labon ten seiran) “Having taken charge of a band,” part of a Roman cohort of soldiers then stationed in the castle of Antonio within the walls of Jerusalem, Mat 26:47; Luk 22:47. A band consisted of about 600 soldiers. The garrison of cohorts were stationed there to assist the Sanhedrin in keeping order during the Passover.
3) “Of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees,” (kai ek ton archiereon kai ek ton Pharisaion hupertas) “And attendants from the Pharisees and the administrative priests,” who, had sought occasion to kill Jesus and found a contract-man, Judas Iscariot, who was willing to lead them personally to the private place in Gethsemane, away from the multitudes, where he had often gone with Him and the other disciples, Luk 22:2-6. The officers who came were Levites, supposed to be holy men, along with the Roman band.
4) “Cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.” (erchetai ekei meta phanon kai lampadom kai hoplon) “The band came out there to the garden with lanterns, and lamps and weapons.” Lanterns or torches were usually carried by Roman soldiers on a night march. That night, when Jesus crossed over Cedron, His life changed briefly, from teacher to the great sacrifice, as He faced the torches, swords, staves, and clubs of the night band of clandestine murderers, Mat 26:47; Mar 14:43.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. Judas, therefore, having received a band of soldiers. That Judas came accompanied by soldiers and by so large a retinue, is a sign of a bad conscience, which always trembles without any cause. It is certain that the band of soldiers was borrowed from the governor, who also sent a captain at the head of a thousand soldiers; for, on account of sudden mutinies, a garrison was stationed in the city, and the governor himself kept a body-guard, wherever he was. The rest were officers sent by the priests; but John makes separate mention of the Pharisee, because they were more enraged than all the rest, as if they had cared more about religion.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) A band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.Better, the band, and officers from the chief priests and Pharieess. The other Gospels tell us of a great multitude (Matt.), or a multitude (Mark and Luke). St. John uses the technical word for the Roman cohort. It was the garrison band from Fort Antonia, at the north-east corner of the Temple. This well-known band is mentioned again in the New Testament (in Joh. 18:12; Mat. 27:27; Mar. 15:16; Act. 21:31). (Comp. Notes at these places.) The word occurs also in Act. 10:1 (the Italian band) and Act. 27:1 (Augustus band). The Authorised version misleads, by closely connecting in one clause two distinct things, a band of men and officers. The band was Roman; the officers were the Temple servants, of whom we read in Joh. 7:32; Joh. 7:45. These were sent, here, as there, by the chief priests and Pharisees, with Judas for their guide, and their authority was supported by the civil power.
Lanterns and torches and weapons.Better, with torches and lamps (Mat. 25:1) and arms. The torches and lamps were part of the regular military equipment for night service. Dionysius describes soldiers rushing out of their tents with torches and lamps in the same words which are used here (Joh. 11:40). They are not mentioned in the other Gospels. St. Matthew and St. Mark describe the weapons as swords and staves.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Judas cometh For the train and order of events of our Lord’s betrayal and arrest, consult our notes on 132.
Lanterns and torches For though it was the full moon, yet his apprehenders knew that their victim might be concealed in the garden, in the houses, or in the clefts of the rocks. But to no such refuges, worthy of the guilty only, did it become the dignity of our Lord to resort.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Judas then, having received a cohort, and officers from the Chief Priests and the Pharisees, come there with lanterns and torches and weapons.’
The word ‘cohort’ indicates a group of ‘Roman’ soldiers. A cohort was nominally a body of six hundred, although could be somewhat less, but in this case it was commanded by a Chiliarch or Tribune, and thus, if it was made up of auxiliaries, would have been larger, possibly double the size. As far as we know only one cohort was stationed in Jerusalem at the time, made up of non-Jewish local auxiliaries, although Pilate, whose centre of authority was Caesarea, may well have brought a further cohort with him for the Passover.
However the number of soldiers taken on this assignment would depend on the officer in charge, the Chiliarch or Tribune, who would not necessarily call on the whole cohort. Many may have been held back in reserve to enjoy their sleep while a contingent was sent which was as large as was deemed necessary. They were there to guard against trouble and to give some kind of official backing to the enterprise rather than to perform the actual arrest.
This would not have been possible without permission from ‘high places’, and Mat 27:18 suggests that Pilate already had prior knowledge of the case. Tension was always high around the time of the Passover and mention of a revolutionary leader who had ridden into Jerusalem with considerable support would be enough for him to be willing to provide a strong force. He was not noted for under-reaction, and we must probably recognise that he was told a slightly exaggerated tale.
That this was in line with his propensities came out later when he took alarm at a gathering of armed men at the foot of Mount Gerizim. It was in fact a pilgrimage in response to the claims of a ‘prophet’ that the sacred vessels would be revealed there, but he saw it as a threat and sent in his troops with a resulting massacre. This was what finally resulted in his being removed from his office and sent to Rome to give account.
There were also Temple Police with them, ‘officers of the chief priests and the Pharisees’. Had the ‘Romans’ been performing the arrest they would not have allowed the Temple police to take such a prominent part. Thus it is clear that the Temple police were there to make the arrest and the ‘Romans’ were there as a precaution against trouble. But the presence of the Romans indicates that the Jewish leaders were trying to implicate the Romans with regard to events. As these Temple police were Jews it is clear how urgent the situation was seen to be, for they had had to leave their families during the Passover meal, but this was something that was permitted under cases of extreme urgency.
John remembers the scene vividly, the dark, the oil lanterns, the flaming torches, the weapons, enough to frighten any small group of religious adherents at night. We should remember that when Judas went out ‘it was night’ (Joh 13:30). Now he comes back and it is still night, and the only light now left to him is the artificial light of oil lanterns and flaming torches. This was his hour and the power of darkness (Luk 22:53). He has deserted the light of the world.
It will be noted that John excludes much of the detail of the time in the garden contained in the other Gospels. This was already known in the churches and he does not wish to repeat it once again. Nor, presumably, did it fit in with his purpose. But Joh 18:11 demonstrates that he was aware of it.
The ‘Roman’ soldiers are not mentioned in the other Gospels so that they clearly kept well to the back. As suggested above this shows that they did not see the arrest as directly their affair. The attention of the other Gospels was concentrated on the Temple Police who headed the action and were more readily noticeable in the gloom. It was John with his inside knowledge who obtained the full details of the arresting party.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 18:3. A band of men This band consisted of Roman soldiers; for both its name, , a cohort, and the title of its commander, , (Joh 18:12.) Chiliarch, answering to our colonel, are Roman military terms. The word rendered officers, , properly signifies servants. They carried lanterns and torches with them, because, though it was always full-moon at the passover, the sky might be darkened by the clouds, and the place where they were going was shaded with trees.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 18:3 . The is the Roman cohort (see Mat 27:27 ; Act 21:31 ; Polyb. xi. 23, i. 6, xiv. 3 ff.; Valckenaer, Schol . I. p. 458 f.), designated by the article as the well-known band, namely, because serving as the garrison of the fort Antonia, distinguished by what follows from the company of officers of justice appointed on the part of the Sanhedrim, and not to be explained of the Levitical temple-watch (Michaelis, Kuinoel, Gurlitt, Lect. in N. T. Spec . IV. 1805, B. Crusius, Baeumlein). That Judas arrived with the whole is, as being disproportionate to the immediate object (against Hengstenberg), not probable; but a division , ordered for the present service, especially as the chiliarch himself was there (Joh 18:12 ), represented the cohort. [207] Of this co-operation of the Roman military, for which the Sanhedrim had made requisition, the Synoptics say nothing, although Hengstenberg takes pains to find indications of it in their narrative. John’s account is more complete .
. .] with torches and lamps (the latter in lanterns; Mat 25:1 ff.). Comp. Dion. H. xi. 40. Extreme precaution renders this preparation conceivable even at the time of full moon. The arms are understood to have been, as a matter of course, carried by the soldiers, but not by the , and are mentioned as helping to complete the representation.
The ’s are not accumulated (Luthardt), not one of them is unnecessary.
[207] This is quite sufficient for the inexactness of popular information. We have hence neither to understand a manipulus ( i.e. the third part of the cohort), for which an appeal is erroneously made to Polyb. xi. 23. 1, nor, generally, a band , a detachment of soldiers ( 2Ma 8:23 ; 2Ma 12:22 ; Jdt 14:11 ). The latter, not because it is Roman military that are spoken of; the former, not because although Polybius elsewhere employs as equivalent to manipulus (see Schweighuser, Lex. p. 559), yet a whole maniple (some 200 men) would here be too many.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Ver. 3. Judas having then received a band ] These are the enemies’ best arguments, and those they flee to when all is done. So the Jesuits, those sworn swordsmen of Satan, give out that their weapons are only preces et lachrymae, prayers and tears; and that it is unlawful for them to use any other, even then when they are about their most bloody designs. (Camd. Eliz. Epist. to Reader.) A late king of France (after his revolt to Popery) being persuaded by a great duke about him not to readmit the Jesuits, which had been justly banished the realm, he answered suddenly, “Give me then security for my life.” He therefore admitted them, even into his bosom, giving them his house for a college; and in a public speech, saying, That they were Timothies in the house, Chrysostoms in the chair, Angustines in the schools, &c. But what came of it? One of the pope’s slaughter slaves, by the instigation of the Jesuits, stabbed him to the heart: these Timothies proved Judases; these Chrysostoms, Catilines; these Augustines, assassins. (Vita David Patti, Operib. praefix.)
Cometh thither with lanterns, &c. ] Hypocrites may be compared (saith one) to those soldiers in the Gospel which came to seek Christ with lights and lanterns, as if they meant not to miss him; yea, they brought clubs and staves, as if they would fight for him: yet, when he saith, Here I am, take you up my cross, they stumble at the cross, and fall backwards. (Essays Divine and Moral.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3. ] See, on this band of men, note on Mat 26:47 . Lcke refers to Dion. Hal. ix. ( , . ) to shew that lanterns and torches were part of the utensils of military on a night march.
appear to be strictly torches, any blazing substance held in the hand; and , lights, fed with oil.
The weapons were swords and staves, Matt., Mark. The fact of its being full moon did not make the lights unnecessary, as, in searching for a prisoner, they might have to enter dark places.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 18:3 . . (Spira, anything rolled up or folded together), a Roman cohort (Polyb., xi. 23, 1) or tenth part of a legion, and therefore containing about 600 men. The cohort denotes the garrison of the castle Antonia, which, during the Passover, was available to assist the Sanhedrim in maintaining order. Part of it was now used in case “the servants of the Sanhedrim,” , should not prove sufficient. A considerable body of troops would obviate the risk of a popular rising, Joh 7:32-49 , Joh 12:42 ; especially Mar 14:2 . They were furnished with . was a link or torch, consisting of strips of resinous wood tied together, and in late Greek was used for , a lantern; was the open torch. See Rutherford’s New Phryn. , p. 131, and Wetstein. Both open lights and lanterns were in use in the Roman army, and would be at hand. “The soldiers rushed out of their tents with lanterns and torches.” Dion. Hal., Joh 11:5 . It was new moon, but it might be cloudy, and it would certainly be shady in the garden.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
a band = the cohort; the word means the tenth part of a legion, therefore 600 men; but the term was probably used with some latitude.
officers. The Temple guard. Compare Joh 7:32, Joh 7:45, Joh 7:46. from. Greek ek, App-104.
chief priests. These were Sadducees (Act 5:17). So Sadducees and Pharisees sunk their differences in order to destroy Him, just as Herod and Pilate were made friends (Luk 23:12) over His condemnation.
lanterns. Greek. phanos. Occurs only here. Compare App-106.
torches. Greek lampas. Generally rendered “lamp” (Mat 25:1-8. Rev 4:8; Rev 8:10), but “light” in Act 20:8.
weapons. The swords and staves of Luk 22:52.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3.] See, on this band of men, note on Mat 26:47. Lcke refers to Dion. Hal. ix. ( , . ) to shew that lanterns and torches were part of the utensils of military on a night march.
appear to be strictly torches,-any blazing substance held in the hand;-and , lights, fed with oil.
The weapons were swords and staves,-Matt., Mark. The fact of its being full moon did not make the lights unnecessary, as, in searching for a prisoner, they might have to enter dark places.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 18:3. ) the band (cohort) of Roman soldiers with the Captain: in contradistinction to which, the ministers or officers of the Jews are mentioned in Joh 18:12.- ) , a lantern. See Hesychius.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 18:3
Joh 18:3
Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees,-Judas had gone from the passover supper, the washing of the feet, before the institution of the Lords Supper, at the suggestion of Jesus to do What thou doest, do quickly (Joh 13:27), when he disclosed to Judas that he knew of the contracted treason to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who had agreed to furnish him a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus and bring him to them. The number constituting the band has been a matter of much and diverse conjecture. Some think there was an army of Roman soldiers. Others, that it was an irregular mob of loose men gathered and paid by the Jews to make the arrest. They wished to make the arrest, bring him before the Jewish rulers, and get the trial and condemnation well under way before the masses generally should know of it. So as few as could be intrusted to accomplish the work without tumult or confusion among the people was desired. So the band was an irregular mob gathered to do this work. [Band in Greek is cohort, which was the garrison of the fort, Antonia, distinguished from the officers of justice appointed by the Sanhedrin. It does not follow that the whole cohort (600 men) was present, but a number representative of them. The officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees were a part of the temple guard (Luk 22:52), Jewish policemen.]
cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.-It was after night, probably after nine oclock. It was the fourteenth of the month. The moon was at its full. But the garden was on the west side of the Mount of Olives that cut off the light of the moon, and especially the deep shades of the garden of olive trees would make it so dark that without lights it would be impossible to identify Jesus. So they brought the lanterns and torches and the swords and clubs to enforce their authority. [These elaborate preparations are a clear indication of the estimate of the power and popularity which his enemies held.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Judas: Joh 13:2, Joh 13:27-30, Mat 26:47, Mat 26:55, Mar 14:43, Mar 14:44, Mar 14:48, Luk 22:47-53, Act 1:16
a band: Joh 18:12,*Gr: Psa 3:1, Psa 3:2, Psa 22:12
Reciprocal: 1Sa 23:23 – take knowledge 2Ki 6:14 – sent he thither horses Psa 27:2 – they Psa 55:10 – Day Psa 55:12 – then I Mat 2:4 – the chief Mat 27:3 – Judas Mat 27:27 – band Joh 7:32 – sent Joh 19:11 – he Act 4:1 – the priests
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
John omits the events between the arrival of Jesus at the garden, and the coming of Judas with the mob. Those events are recorded in Mat 26:36-46; Mar 14:26-42, and Luk 22:39-46. Band is from SPEIRA, and Thayer defines it at this place, “Any band, company, or detachment of soldiers.” This force had been delivered to Judas by authority of the chief priests and Pharisees. It was altogether unnecessary to form this posse, for Jesus had frequently predicted his own fate, and there never was any intimation on his part that he would give them any trouble. They were equipped with torches and weapons, which means clubs, as if Jesus would be hiding among the trees, and would have to be found with the aid of a torch, and then perhaps have to be taken by force.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
[With lanterns and torches.] Out of Succah; “They danced” [that is, in the feast of Tabernacles], “holding in their hand burning torches.” The Gloss is: “They threw up their torches into the air, and caught them again in their hands; and some there were so great artists in this exercise, they could do it, some with four, others with eight torches at once, throwing up one and catching another.”
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Joh 18:3. Judas therefore having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. The circumstances here mentioned are in contrast with those of Joh 18:1, constituting the obverse side of the picture, before the went forth of that verse is again taken up in Joh 18:4, and thus illustrating the same principles of structure as those which met us in the opening verses of chap. 13. The general situation is set before us from its two different sides: the first consisting of (1) Jesus, (2) His disciples; the second, of (I) Judas, (2) the band of soldiers, etc. The mention of the band has been made an object of ridicule, as if it could only mean half a Roman army. The ridicule is groundless, for(1) Even if we allow, what it is extremely possible was not the case, that the band was of its full strength, it was after all only the same as the cohort, the tenth part of a legion. (2) The Romans in all probability did not think of one man only to be made prisoner, but of the danger of a popular tumult. (3) In Act 23:23 we have a remarkable instance of the number of soldiers used upon a similar occasion. As the band now mentioned was obtained from the Roman authorities, we see that, from an early period of the night, they must have been led to interest themselves in the transactions taking place. The officers were the servants of the chief priests and Pharisees. The trees of the garden made lanterns and torches necessary. Although the moon was near the full, the Jews would imagine that Jesus might hide Himself in the covert and so escape.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
18:3 {2} Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
(2) Christ who was innocent was taken as a wicked person, that we who are wicked might be let go as innocent.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Only John mentioned the presence of Roman soldiers. A Roman cohort (Lat. cohors) normally consisted of 600 soldiers. However sometimes the Greek word speira, translated "cohort" or "detachment," referred to a smaller group of only 200 men. [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 577.] John did not use a precise term to describe the number of soldiers that Judas brought, and it is possible that less than 200 soldiers were present. The Romans stationed troops in the Fortress of Antonia during the Jewish feasts. It stood just north of the temple. Normally these troops resided in Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, the Roman provincial capital.
The officers of the Jewish temple police accompanied the Roman soldiers. Thus John presented both Gentiles and Jews as playing a part in Jesus’ arrest. They carried lanterns and torches to find Jesus. Apparently they thought He might try to hide. Passover always took place when the moon was full. They also had weapons to restrain anyone who might oppose their plan to arrest Jesus. Judas served as their guide. He had no authority over them.