The Arrest of Jesus

St Mark 14:43-50; St Luke 22:47-53; St John 18:3-11

47. a great multitude with swords and staves 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 company 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 company (speira) of Roman soldiers; (2) a detachment of the Levitical temple-guard (Luke); (3) certain members of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees.

with swords and staves St John has "with lanterns and torches and weapons." Staves, rather, clubs; different from the travellers" "staves" of ch. Matthew 10:10, where another Greek word is used.

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