{While he yet spake} (eti autou lalountos). It was an
electric moment as Jesus faced Judas with his horde of helpers as
if he turned to meet an army. {Let us go} (ag(936d)en), Jesus had
said. And here he is. The eight at the gate seemed to have given
no notice. Judas is described here as "one of the twelve" (heis
t(936e) d(9364)eka) in all three Synoptic Gospels ( Mr 14:43  Mt 26:47  Lu 22:47 ). The very horror of the thing is thus emphasized, that
one of the chosen twelve apostles should do this dastardly deed.
{A great multitude} (ochlos polus). The chief priests and
Pharisees had furnished Judas a band of soldiers from the
garrison in Antonia ( Joh 18:3 ) and the temple police ( Lu
22:52 ) with swords (knives) and staves (clubs) with a hired
rabble who had lanterns also ( Joh 18:3 ) in spite of the full
moon. Judas was taking no chances of failure for he well knew the
strange power of Jesus.