Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 14:11

"And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him." — Judges 14:11 (ASV)

When they saw him. — The reason why this clause is added is somewhat obscure, and this is perhaps the reason why the Septuagint and Josephus, without any warrant, render it “when they were afraid of him,” which would involve a change in the reading.

They brought thirty companions. — It was necessary to the splendor of the marriage feast that there should be these paranymphs (shoshbenim, or “children of the bride-chamber,”Matthew 9:15). The fact that Samson had brought none with him seems to prove that his marriage was highly unpopular among his own countrymen. Thirty, however, was a most unusual number.