John 18:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 18:1-3

John 18:1-3. When Jesus had spoken these words Had delivered the discourse recorded above, and concluded his intercessory prayer; he went with his disciples over the brook Cedron On the other side of which was a garden, known by the name of the garden of Gethsemane; (see notes on Matthew 26:36;) and probably belonging to one of his friends. He might retire to this private place, not only for the advantage of secret devotion, but also that the people might not be alarmed at his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 18:2-11

151. The arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-11)In the strength of the victory won at Gethsemane, Jesus went to meet his enemies. Judas knew the garden, for Jesus had often met there with his apostles. In the middle of the night, Judas took a group of temple guards and Roman soldiers to seize Jesus. By working under the cover of darkness, he kept the operation hidden from any who were likely to be sympathizers with Jesus. But Jesus needed no supporters to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 18:3

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 John 7:32 , John 7:45 , John 7:46 . from. Greek ek, App-104 . chief priests . These were Sadducees (Acts 5:17 ). So Sadducees and Pharisees sunk their differences in order to destroy Him, just as Herod and Pilate were made friends (Luke 23:12 ) over His condemnation. lanterns . Greek. phanos. Occurs only here. Compare... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 18:3

Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.Band of soldiers ... The word means "cohort," indicating a contingent of several hundred men. The soldiers were a part of the garrison of the tower of Antonio, headquarters of the Roman military presence in the city.Officers from the chief priests and Pharisees ... The soldiers were accompanied by a detachment of the temple guard. This... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 18:3

John 18:3. A band of men— This band consisted of Roman soldiers; for both its name, σπειρα, a cohort, and the title of its commander, χιλιαρχος, (John 18:12.) Chiliarch, answering to our colonel, are Roman military terms. The word rendered officers, υπηρετας, 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. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 18:3

3. Judas then—"He that was called Judas, one of the Twelve," says Luke ( :-), in language which brands him with peculiar infamy, as in the sacred circle while in no sense of it. a band of men—"the detachment of the Roman cohort on duty at the festival for the purpose of maintaining order" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. officers from the chief priests and Pharisees—captains of the temple and armed Levites. lanterns and torches—It was full moon, but in case He should have secreted Himself somewhere in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 18:1-11

A. Jesus’ presentation of Himself to His enemies 18:1-11 (cf. Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 18:3

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... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:1-40

Christ Before Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate1-14. Christ’s arrest and trial before Annas (cp. Matthew 26:30 = Mark 14:26 = Luke 22:39). The narrative is now parallel with the synoptic account, with which, though obviously independent, it closely agrees. Our Lord’s agony in the garden is omitted as well known, but it is alluded to (John 18:11), and the evangelist elsewhere uses language quite as definite as that of the synoptists in speaking of His agony of mind at the prospect of death (John... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 18:3

(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 John 18:12; Matthew 27:27; Mark 15:16; Acts 21:31). (Comp.... read more

Group of Brands