Bible Strands
John 18:3
So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Judas arrives at the garden with a cohort of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. This occurs immediately after Jesus and his disciples gather in the location and before Jesus steps forward to question the group.
The words — λαβὼν (labōn) literally means "having procured," indicating Judas actively gathered the force. σπεῖραν (speiran) translates to "cohort," specifying a formal military unit rather than a spontaneous crowd.
The thread — The same armed group reappears in John 18:12 when they arrest and bind Jesus, and aligns with Luke 22:47 where a crowd led by Judas approaches him. The escalation of opposing forces mirrors the complaint in Psalms 3:1 about foes increasing.
Why it lands — The text records a prepared, armed confrontation rather than a sudden ambush, establishing the calculated nature of the arrest. It requires the reader to acknowledge the deliberate military presence before Jesus voluntarily steps forward to meet it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Cross-references
- John 18:12 Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.
- Luke 22:47 While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
- Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- Psalms 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Acts 1:16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
- Matthew 26:47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- Mark 14:43 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
- John 13:2 The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
- John 13:27 And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”