May we not learn from this verse that there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing wrong, in loving one place more than an- other, and choosing one place more than another, for com- munion with God? Even our blessed Lord had one special place, near Jerusalem, more than other places, to which He often resorted. The common idea of some, that it matters not where or in what place we worship, and that it is unspiritual and wrong to care for one seat in church more than another, can hardly be reconciled with this verse.
The Greek words rendered " resorted thither," are literally " were gathered together there."
S. — [Judas then having received, etc^ This verse begins John's circumstantial account of the taking and subsequent passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. A careful reader will not fail to ob- serve that Jolin entirely passes over several points in this his- tory which are mentioned by the three other Gospel writers, and not least tlie bargaining of Judas with the priests to betray our Lord for money. But it is evident that John assumes that his readers were acquainted with the other three Gospels, and purposely dwells on points which they had not mentioned.
The expression " a band of men," can only mean " the de- tachment of Koman soldiers " which had been lent by Pilate to the priests for the occasion. Some think that it means literally •' a cohort," which was the tenth part of a legion, and consisted of four or five hundred men. This, however, seems doubtful. Yet Matthew speaks of Judas coming, and " a great multitude with him." (Matt. xxvi. 47.)
The " officers " mean the Jewish servants of the priests and Pharisees, who accompanied the Roman soldiers. The party, therefore, which Judas led consisted of two distinct elements, — Romish soldiers detached from the garrison of Jerusalem, and Jewish servants got together by the leaders of the Jews. Gentiles and Jews were, therefore, equally concerned in the ar- rest. The number of the party was probably large, from the fear of an attempt at a rescue by the Galilean Jews, who were supposed to favor our Lord. They would be at Jerusalem in large numbers at the Passover, and after our Lord's recent tri- umphal entry into Jerusalem, the priests might well feel doubts whether they would allow Him to be made a prisoner without a struggle.
Chrysostom remarks that " these men had often, at other times, been sent to seize Him, but had not been able. Hence it is plain that at this time He voluntarily surrendered Himself."
The " lanterns and torches " at first sight may seem to have been needless, as the moon at Passover time was full. But they were doubtless intended to assist the party in searching for our Lord if he endeavored to hide Himself amonfj: the rocks and