Bible Dictionaries

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

Legion

The Roman legions were composed each of ten cohorts; a cohort, of fifty maniples; a maniple, of fifteen men; consequently, a full legion contained six thousand soldiers. Jesus cured one who called himself "legion," as if possessed by a legion of devils, Mark 5:9 . He also said to Peter, who drew his sword to defend him in the olive garden: "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, who shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53 .