John 18:3

A band of men— This band consisted of Roman soldiers; for both its name, σπειρα, a cohort, and the title of its commander, χιλιαρχος, (John 18:12.) Chiliarch, answering to our colonel, are Roman military terms. The word rendered officers, υπηρετας, properly signifies servants. They carried lanterns and torches with them, because, though it was always full-moon at the passover, the sky might be darkened by the clouds, and the place where they were going was shaded with trees.