John 18:1-3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When Jesus had spoken these words Had delivered the discourse recorded above, and concluded his intercessory prayer; he went with his disciples over the brook Cedron On the other side of which was a garden, known by the name of the garden of Gethsemane; (see notes on Matthew 26:36;) and probably belonging to one of his friends. He might retire to this private place, not only for the advantage of secret devotion, but also that the people might not be alarmed at his apprehension, nor attempt, in the first sallies of their zeal, to rescue him in a tumultuous manner. Cedron, or Kedron, was (as the name signifies) a dark, shady valley, on the east side of Jerusalem, between the city and the mount of Olives, through which a little brook ran, which took its name from it. It was this brook which David, a type of Christ, went over with his people, weeping, in his flight from Absalom. Judas, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither, &c. Namely, for the sake of retirement and devotion. Judas, having received a band of men Greek, την σπειραν, a cohort of Roman foot-soldiers, as the word signifies, and the title of its commander (χιλιαρχος, a chiliarch, answering to our colonel) implies; and officers Some Jewish officers, sent for that purpose; from the chief priests and other Pharisees Belonging to the sanhedrim, who were chiefly concerned in this affair; cometh thither with lanterns and torches, &c. Which they brought with them, though it was now full moon, to discover him if he should endeavour to hide himself; and weapons To use if they should meet with any opposition, which they foolishly imagined they might.