Matthew 26:47

ὄχλος πολὺς κ.τ.λ. St John more definitely, ‘having received a (strictly, the) band (of men) and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees’ (Matthew 18:3). The band of men here = the maniple of Roman soldiers, placed at the service of the Sanhedrin by the Procurator. The same word is used Acts 10:1; Acts 21:32; Acts 27:1. St Luke names the ‘captains of the Temple’ (Luke 22:52). Hence the body, guided by Judas, consisted of (1) a maniple (σπεῖρα, see note ch. Matthew 27:27) of Roman soldiers; (2) a detachment of the Levitical temple-guard (Luke); (3) certain members of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees.

ξύλων. ‘clubs,’ as Hdt. II. 63, μάχη ξύλοισι καρτέρη γίνεται. So also Polybius, Lucian, and other late authors. St John has μετὰ φανῶν καὶ λαμπάδων καὶ ὅπλων, Matthew 18:3.