Matthew 26:47

47. Lo, Judas The deed by which his name is forever a term of abhorrence is now in course of completion. Staves The plural of staff. They were nearer canes than clubs. Although it was full moon, they came, as John informs us, with torches and lanterns. Judas led the way, going before them. Luke 22:47.

With him a great multitude By what authority was Jesus now arrested? and of whom or what did this multitude consist?

To the first question we may answer, that in Judea there was an inferior native or Jewish government, under the dominion of the Roman government. Of the Jewish government the chief magistrate was the high priest. The legislative authority resided in the Sanhedrim. It was by the Jewish authority, or at least at their prosecution, that our Lord is now arrested and taken before their high priest, to answer for offence against the Jewish law.

The multitude who apprehended Jesus were of the following four classes:

1 . The band, (John 18:3,) being a detachment from the garrison of five hundred Roman soldiers, who, in the fortress of Antonia, overlooking the temple, kept the Jews in awe. A detachment was ever ready to be sent when the commander was informed that a disturber needed to be taken in custody. So that thus much Jesus was apprehended by the loan of a Roman body.

2. The captains of the temple, (Luke 22:52,) who came, doubtless, attended by their guard or police, men who kept order at the temple.

3. Several of the Jewish dignitaries attended to see the work carefully done; namely, (Matthew 26:47,) chief priests, zealous Pharisees, and elders. 4. Servants of these dignitaries, (John 18:18,) both private and official, like Malchus. Our Lord was thus arrested by the Jewish authority, partly using Roman instrumentality.