In the context of the Bible, the term "cohort" refers to a Roman military unit. The Roman army was a highly organized and disciplined force, and the cohort was a fundamental component of its structure. A cohort typically consisted of about 480 soldiers, although the number could vary. It was part of a larger legion, which was composed of ten cohorts, making up approximately 4,800 soldiers in total.

Biblical References:

The term "cohort" is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the events surrounding the arrest of Jesus Christ. In John 18:3 , it is written: "So Judas brought a cohort of soldiers, along with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons." This passage highlights the involvement of Roman soldiers in the arrest of Jesus, indicating the presence of a significant military force.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Roman cohort was a versatile and effective military unit, capable of both offensive and defensive operations. It was typically commanded by a centurion, a professional officer who was responsible for the training and discipline of the soldiers. The presence of a cohort in Judea during the time of Jesus reflects the Roman Empire's control over the region and its interest in maintaining order and suppressing any potential uprisings.

The Roman military presence in Judea was a constant reminder of the political and social tensions of the time. The Jewish people were under Roman occupation, and the presence of Roman soldiers was often a source of resentment and conflict. This context is crucial for understanding the interactions between the Roman authorities and the Jewish population, as well as the dynamics that led to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the involvement of a Roman cohort in the arrest of Jesus underscores the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The use of Roman soldiers, representing the might of the world's greatest empire at the time, highlights the contrast between earthly power and the spiritual kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. Despite the apparent triumph of Roman authority in the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, Christians believe that these events were part of God's sovereign plan for salvation.

The presence of the cohort also serves as a reminder of the pervasive influence of sin and the need for redemption. The arrest of Jesus, facilitated by both Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers, illustrates the collaboration of human authorities in opposing God's anointed one. This collaboration is seen as a manifestation of the broader spiritual rebellion against God, which Jesus came to address through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Conclusion:

The mention of cohorts in the Bible provides insight into the historical and cultural context of the New Testament narrative. It highlights the political realities of Roman occupation and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.2916. krithinos -- of barley
... Suetonius speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barley orator,' inflated like barley
in moisture: and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost their standards ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2916.htm - 7k

Josephus Makes an Attempt Upon Sepphoris but is Repelled. Titus ...
... and the tenth, which were the most eminent legions of all, he joined them to that
fifteenth legion which was with his father; eighteen cohorts followed these ...
/.../chapter 4 josephus makes an.htm

The Death of Joseph [Herod's Brother] which had Been Signified to ...
... heard that his brother was at a very great distance, he neglected the charge he
had received, and marched towards Jericho with five cohorts, which Macheras ...
/.../chapter 17 the death of.htm

Concerning Bernice's Petition to Florus, to Spare the Jews, but in ...
... not make any other innovations should be this, that they must go out and meet the
soldiers that were ascending from Cesarea, whence two cohorts were coming ...
/.../chapter 15 concerning bernices petition.htm

The First Part
... for do not imagine there were so many heads,) by which was signified, that he who
was carried by them was the Lord and King of the four cohorts, or camps of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Antigonus Besieges those that were in Masada, whom Herod Frees ...
... Yet was Herod not idle, but took with him ten cohorts, five of them were Romans,
and five were Jewish cohorts, together with some mercenary troops intermixed ...
/.../chapter 15 antigonus besieges those.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... you shall see a rider go swiftly through the streets bearing a red banner and crying,
'The king is dead.' Then shall the commander of the cohorts go quickly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... All these came before the engines; and after these engines came the tribunes and
the leaders of the cohorts, with their select bodies; after these came the ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

Fearlessness.
... the cess-pools of men's hearts and bid them look within at their own slime and filth;
who will "cry aloud and spare not," though the infuriated cohorts of bat ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vi fearlessness.htm

Next Day among his Letters were Two of Value in the History of ...
... among his letters were two of value in the history of Vergilius"one from the procurator,
apprising him of his appointment to command the cohorts, the other a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 15 next day among.htm

Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps
... But, mad with jealous fury, Egypt's king Calls his great host to battle for their
lord: Swiftly the cohorts gather at his word, And down the mail-clad lines ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/v hymn for the lighting.htm

Cohorts (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cohorts (1 Occurrence). Job 9:13 "God will not withdraw
his anger. The helpers of Rahab stoop under him. (See NIV). ...
/c/cohorts.htm - 6k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... In the military system as established by Augustus there were nine cohorts of the
praetorian guard, three of the urban troops, and seven of the vigiles. ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

Band (150 Occurrences)
... was a cohort apparently stationed at Caesarea at the time (Acts 27:1). Schurer
(GJV, I3, 461) is of opinion that it was one of five cohorts mentioned by ...
/b/band.htm - 50k

Cohort (7 Occurrences)

/c/cohort.htm - 9k

Army (401 Occurrences)
... The Augustan band and the Italian band (Acts 10:1 Acts 27:1) are cohorts
of Roman soldiers engaged on military duty at Caesarea. ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

Palace (194 Occurrences)
... In Philippians 1:13 this word is the rendering of the Greek praitorion, meaning
the praetorian cohorts at Rome (the life-guard of the Caesars). ...
/p/palace.htm - 40k

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)
... the governor's residence, as in Acts 23:35 (RV, "palace"); and (3) the praetorian
guard (see PALACE), or the camp or quarters of the praetorian cohorts (Acts 28 ...
/p/praetorium.htm - 14k

Coiled (2 Occurrences)

/c/coiled.htm - 6k

Captain (167 Occurrences)
... (2) chiliarchos, the Latin tribunus militum of which there were six to a legion,
commanding the six cohorts of which it was composed. In its lit. ...
/c/captain.htm - 53k

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