A large unit of soldiers in the Roman army. With Augustus’s reorganization of the Roman army a legion was composed of 5,400 to 6,000 men and a like number of auxiliary troops. The auxiliary regiments consisted of infantry cohorts and cavalry recruited from among the subject peoples. They were sometimes commanded by Roman officers and sometimes by their own tribal leaders. “Legion” also appears as the name of a demon exorcised by Jesus in (
Mark 5:9,
Luke 8:30). Jesus at his capture claimed God would send more than twelve legions of angels to rescue him if he so desired (
Matt 26:53).
Mark 5:9
9Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
Luke 8:30
30Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.
Matt 26:53
53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
