Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:3

"Judas then, having received the band [of soldiers], and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons." — John 18:3 (ASV)

The Greek word for “detachment of soldiers” technically denotes a tenth of a legion, or about six hundred men—probably the detachment of soldiers connected with the Castle of Antonia, the Roman barracks in Jerusalem (Mark 14:43). Possibly the hysterical alarm of the priests caused them to ask aid from Pilate in arresting Jesus, since the temple police had failed on a previous occasion (Jn 7:32, 45-47). The torches and the lanterns were needed, since the arrest took place at night and required a search in the darkness of the olive grove.