John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Judas then having received a band of men , etc.] 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 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; ( Matthew 26:47); nay, not only so, but the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders of the people, were themselves among them, ( Luke 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 : snp , which is no other than the Greek word here used for a lantern, the Jews tell us f650 , 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 dypl , or lamp, here rendered torch, they say f651 , 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - Sin began in the garden of Eden, there the curse was pronounced, ther the Redeemer was promised; and in a garden that promised Seed entere into conflict with the old serpent. Christ was buried also in a garden Let us, when we walk in our gardens, take occasion from thence to mediate on Christ's sufferings in a garden. Our Lord Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and asked, Whom seek ye When the people would have forced him to a crown, he withdrew, ch 6:15, but when they came to force him to a cross, he offered himself for he came into this world to suffer, and went to the other world to reign. He showed plainly what he could have done; when he struck the down he could have struck them dead, but he would not do so. It mus have been the effect of Divine power, that the officers and soldier let the disciples go away quietly, after the resistance which had bee offered. Christ set us an example of meekness in sufferings, and pattern of submission to God's will in every thing that concerns us. It is but a cup, a small matter. It is a cup that is given us; suffering are gifts. It is given us by a Father, who has a father's authority and does us no wrong; a father's affection, and means us no hurt. From the example of our Saviour we should learn how to receive our lighte afflictions, and to ask ourselves whether we ought to oppose ou Father's will, or to distrust his love. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities, with the yoke of our transgressions. Christ, being mad a sin-offering for us, to free us from those bonds, himself submitte to be bound for us. To his bonds we owe our liberty; thus the Son make us free.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM ουν 3767 CONJ ιουδας 2455 N-NSM λαβων 2983 5631 V-2AAP-NSM την 3588 T-ASF σπειραν 4686 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM αρχιερεων 749 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ φαρισαιων 5330 N-GPM υπηρετας 5257 N-APM ερχεται 2064 5736 V-PNI-3S εκει 1563 ADV μετα 3326 PREP φανων 5322 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ λαμπαδων 2985 N-GPF και 2532 CONJ οπλων 3696 N-GPN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. A band (thn speiran). Properly, the band. See on Mark xv. 16; also on centurion, Luke vii. 2; and Acts xxi. 31. The band, or cohort, was from the Roman garrison in the tower of Antonia.Officers (uphretav). See on Matt. v. 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 (speira) later in the narrative (Matt. xxvii. 27; Mark xv. 16).
Lanterns (fanwn). 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.
