Joh 18:3 | RWP | e4.org | The band of soldiers ( την σπειραν ). No word for "of soldiers" in the Greek, but the Latin spira (roll or ball) was used for a military cohort (Polybius 11, 23, 1) as in ; , etc., here for a small band secured from the Tower of Antonia. The Synoptics do not mention the soldiers, but only the "officers" as here ( υπηρετας for which see ; , ) or temple police from the Sanhedrin. Cometh ( ερχετα ). Dramatic historical present middle indicative. With lanterns and torches ( μετα φανων κα λαμπαδων ). Both old words, φανος only here in N.T., λαμπας , an oil lamp ( ). It was full moon, but Judas took no chances for it may have been cloudy and there were dark places by the walls and under the olive trees. Μετα is accompanied with and weapons ( κα οπλων ). Mark ( ) mentions "swords and staves." Probably the temple guard had weapons as well as the soldiers.

‏ John 18:3

The band of soldiers ( την σπειραν ). No word for "of soldiers" in the Greek, but the Latin spira (roll or ball) was used for a military cohort (Polybius 11, 23, 1) as in Mt 27:27; Ac 10:1, etc., here for a small band secured from the Tower of Antonia. The Synoptics do not mention the soldiers, but only the "officers" as here ( υπηρετας for which see Mt 26:58; Mr 14:54, 65) or temple police from the Sanhedrin.

Cometh ( ερχετα ). Dramatic historical present middle indicative.

With lanterns and torches ( μετα φανων κα λαμπαδων ). Both old words, φανος only here in N.T., λαμπας, an oil lamp (Mt 25:1). It was full moon, but Judas took no chances for it may have been cloudy and there were dark places by the walls and under the olive trees. Μετα is accompanied with

and weapons ( κα οπλων ). Mark (Mr 14:43) mentions "swords and staves." Probably the temple guard had weapons as well as the soldiers.