Strong’s Greek 5322 designates the hand-held light source—whether lantern or torch—used for guidance in the darkness. Though the term appears only once in the New Testament, its single cameo in the Passion narrative throws a bright beam on human motives, spiritual darkness, and the contrast between manufactured and divine light.

Occurrence in Scripture

John 18:3 records the word’s sole New Testament appearance:

“So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons.”

Historical and Cultural Setting

Lanterns and torches were common in the ancient Near East, constructed of pottery or metal housings that sheltered burning oil-soaked rags or resinous wood. Nighttime travel, temple duties at early morning hours, and festive processions depended on such lights. Roman cohorts and temple police would naturally arm themselves with lanterns when setting out to arrest someone in a garden after dark. Their use underscores both the practical need for illumination and the urgency of the mission.

The Lantern in John 18:3

1. Timing: The arrest occurs after the Passover meal, under cover of night. Physical darkness mirrors the spiritual darkness of betrayal.
2. Irony: Those seeking to extinguish the “Light of the world” (John 8:12) must supply their own flickering lights to find Him.
3. Prepared Hostility: The detail “lanterns, torches, and weapons” presents a calculated, military-style operation aimed at a Teacher known for peace.

Symbolic and Theological Insights

• Artificial versus True Light: Scripture often sets human light against divine revelation (Isaiah 50:11; Revelation 21:23). The lanterns in John 18 serve as emblems of inadequate human enlightenment, incapable of exposing hearts or comprehending Christ’s mission.
• Darkness as Moral Condition: John’s Gospel repeatedly contrasts light and darkness (John 1:5; 3:19-21; 12:35-36). The arrest party, walking by borrowed flames yet opposing the Son, illustrates blindness despite visible light.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The Messiah is taken “like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). The presence of lantern-bearing soldiers fulfilling Judas’s scheme highlights prophetic precision—darkness attempts to swallow light, yet the light prevails.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Evangelism: Many rely on man-made philosophies—modern “lanterns”—to navigate life. Only the gospel provides uncreated light.
2. Personal Discipleship: Followers of Christ must examine whether they walk by the Lord’s illumination or by self-generated sparks (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6).
3. Apologetics: The episode encourages confidence in Scripture’s historical reliability. John’s eyewitness precision about arrest gear matches known first-century practices.
4. Pastoral Care: Believers facing hostility can remember that opposition often comes “with lanterns and weapons,” yet God remains sovereign.

Related Terms and Distinctions

• Strong’s 2985 (lampos) and 3088 (lampas) denote lamps and torches used for weddings and interior lighting. Strong’s 5322 emphasizes the portable lantern, suitable for outdoor mobility.
• In Septuagint usage, analogous terms illuminate nocturnal watch (Exodus 27:20) and prophetic visions (Zechariah 4:2). Together they build a theology of God-provided illumination versus human effort.

See Also

John 1:4-9; John 12:46; Psalm 18:28; Isaiah 60:1-3; 1 Peter 2:9