John 18:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 18:1-12

The hour was now come that the captain of our salvation, who was to be made perfect by sufferings, should engage the enemy. We have here his entrance upon the encounter. The day of recompence is in his heart, and the year of his redeemed is come, and his own arm works the salvation, for he has no second. Let us turn aside now, and see this great sight. I. Our Lord Jesus, like a bold champion, takes the field first (John 18:1, 2): When he had spoken these words, preached the sermon, prayed his... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 18:1-11

18:1-11 When Jesus had said these things he went out with his disciples across the Kedron Valley to a place where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered; and Judas, his betrayer, knew the place for Jesus often met with his disciples there. So Judas took a company of soldiers, together with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, and went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus knew the things which were going to happen to him, so he came out and said:... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 18:1-11

Few scenes in scripture so show us the qualities of Jesus as does the arrest in the garden. (i) It shows us his courage. At Passover time it was fun moon and the night was almost like daylight. Yet the enemies of Jesus had come with lamps and torches. Why? They did not need them to see the way. They must have thought that they would have to search among the trees and in the hillside nooks and crannies to find Jesus. So far from hiding, when they arrived, Jesus stepped out. "Who are you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:3

Judas then having received a band of men ,.... From the captain of this band, who in John 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:3

A band - Την σπειραν , 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 Matthew 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.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:3

Verse 3 3.Judeas, therefore, having received a band of soldiers. That Judeas 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 18:1-11

(1) The betrayal , the majesty of his bearing , accompanied by hints of the bitter cup . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 18:1-11

The apprehension of Jesus. The crisis has come at last. I. THE SCENE OF THE ARREST . "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Kedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples." 1. The garden was on the slope of Mount Olivet , and therefore outside Jerusalem . 2. He did not resort to it for the purpose of hiding himself from his enemies ; for Judas , the traitor , knew the place . It was to be the scene of his prayers and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 18:3

Judas therefore , because he knew the place, was able treacherously to use his knowledge. Having received the cohort , ἡ σπεῖρα is used for the lemon or portion of the legion of soldiers, who, under the direction of the Roman procurator, garrisoned the Tower of Antonia, which dominated the north-east temple courts. The article ( τὴν ) is probably used because the χιλίαρχος , military tribune, chief captain, or commander of the thousand men, had ( John 18:12 ) accompanied the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 18:3

A band - See the notes at Matthew 26:47; Matthew 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. read more

Group of Brands