defend themselves, and Jesus pass through the midst of his enemies, as
he had so often done before. He dwelt upon these thoughts especially,
when his pride was hurt by the disdainful manner of the Jews in his
regard; but he did not repent, for he had wholly given himself up to
Satan. It was his desire also that the soldiers following him should
not carry chains and cords, and his accomplices pretended to accede to
all his wishes, although in reality they acted with him as with a
traitor who was not to be trusted, but to be cast off as soon as he had
done what was wanted. The soldiers received orders to keep close to
Judas, watch him carefully, and not let him escape until Jesus was
seized, for he had received his reward, and it was feared that he might
run off with the money, and Jesus not be taken after all, or another be
taken in his place. The band of men chosen to accompany Judas was
composed of twenty soldiers, selected from the Temple guard and from
others of the military who were under the orders of Annas and Caiphas.
They were dressed very much like the Roman soldiers, had morions
(crested metal helmets) like them, and wore hanging straps round their
thighs, but their beards were long, whereas the Roman soldiers at
Jerusalem had whiskers only, and shaved their chins and upper lips.
They all had swords, some of them being also armed with spears, and
they carried sticks with lanterns and torches; but when they set off
they only lighted one. It had at first been intended that Judas should
be accompanied by a more numerous escort, but he drew their attention
to the fact that so large a number of men would be too easily seen,
because Mount Olivet commanded a view of the whole valley. Most of the
soldiers remained, therefore, at Ophel, and sentinels were stationed on
all sides to put down any attempt which might be made to release Jesus.
Judas set off with the twenty soldiers, but he was followed at some
distance by four archers, who were only common bailiffs, carrying cords
and chains, and after them came the six agents with whom Judas had been