John 18:2-4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas got a band of soldiers[a] and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.(A) 4 Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?”
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- 18:3 Band of soldiers: seems to refer to Roman troops, either the full cohort of 600 men (1/10 of a legion), or more likely the maniple of 200 under their tribune (Jn 18:12). In this case, John is hinting at Roman collusion in the action against Jesus before he was brought to Pilate. The lanterns and torches may be symbolic of the hour of darkness.
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