What does John 18:3 mean?

Christ and His disciples have come from the Last Supper (John 13—17) and crossed over a small brook called Kidron (John 18:1). This was the same place where David learned he had been betrayed by a former ally (2 Samuel 15:23–31). Jesus is about to have a parallel experience: one of His twelve closest followers has conspired with local religious leaders (John 13:2–3; Matthew 26:14–16). Their intent is to capture Jesus away from supportive crowds, so they can put Him through a series of sham trials, and eventually put Him to death (John 18:12–14).

Judas arrives with heavily armed men, which has more to do with the other disciples than it does with Jesus. The Greek term here is speria, which could mean as many as 600 soldiers. It's not likely anywhere near that many arrived in Gethsemane, but the Roman government had made at least that number available. Luke records Jesus' remark that He's done nothing suggesting violence (Luke 22:52–53). The men He is with, however, may have it in their mind to fight back (Luke 22:38; John 13:36–38). Peter, in fact, will do just that (John 18:10), despite Jesus negotiating for their freedom (John 18:8).

Since beginning His public ministry, Jesus has been active: He has directly controlled the pace and timing. Nothing that has happened has been outside of His control. What is about to happen won't be beyond His power, either. However, once Jesus is arrested by His enemies, He will assume a passive role, allowing others to condemn and murder Him. Before that, Christ will put a final exclamation point on His power—making it clear that He goes willingly to His own death (John 18:4–6).