Note 3 at Jn. 18:3: The other gospel writers describe Judas as coming with a great multitude, but John uses the term "band" in describing these men. The Greek word used for "band" is "speira" and it denotes "a larger body of men, a cohort, about 600 infantry, commanded by a tribune" (W.E. Vine Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 96). There were also others with this band such as Malchus, the servant of the high priest (v. 10) and the chief priests themselves (Lk. 22:52).