LANTERN (φανός, G5749). A word found in the NT only in John 18:3, where it refers to a light carried by the mob which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane. It is possible that it formed some kind of torch, although Romans in the time of Christ had lanterns made of translucent materials.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

Lanterns were carried by the mob which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane (Joh 18:3, probably better "torches"). The word "lantern" in the time of early versions had a much wider significance than now. The Romans, however, had lanterns in the times of Christ, made by use of translucent skins, bladders, or thin plates of horn.