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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
3 of 21
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
λαβὼν
having received
G2983
λαβὼν
having received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
4 of 21
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπεῖραν
a band
G4686
σπεῖραν
a band
Strong's:
G4686
Word #:
6 of 21
a coil (spira, "spire"), i.e., (figuratively) a mass of men (a roman military cohort; also (by analogy) a squad of levitical janitors)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
10 of 21
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Φαρισαίων
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίων
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
12 of 21
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὑπηρέτας
officers
G5257
ὑπηρέτας
officers
Strong's:
G5257
Word #:
13 of 21
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
14 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The arrest occurred during Passover week, circa AD 30-33, in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Roman cohorts normally remained at the Antonia Fortress unless civil unrest threatened. Their presence indicates the Sanhedrin convinced Pilate that Jesus posed a political threat, framing His messianic claims as sedition against Rome.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might God allow overwhelming force to be used against His own Son, when one word could have stopped them (Matthew 26:53)?
- How does the detail of 'lanterns and torches' illuminate your understanding of spiritual blindness in those who reject Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Judas then, having received a band of men (σπεῖραν, speiran)—a Roman cohort, numbering 300-600 soldiers, not merely temple guards. The synoptics mention only temple officers; John's eyewitness account reveals the staggering military force deployed to arrest an unarmed rabbi. This speiran typically guarded the Fortress Antonia, suggesting Pilate's involvement before the trial.
With lanterns and torches (φανῶν καὶ λαμπάδων)—an ironic detail: they brought artificial lights to arrest the Light of the World (John 8:12). Though Passover occurred at full moon, Judas feared Jesus might hide in Gethsemane's olive groves. Yet Christ, who hid nothing, voluntarily stepped forward (v. 4). The darkness they brought betrayed their own spiritual blindness, unable to recognize the true Light standing before them.