How many angels are there in a legion?

In Matthew 26:53, Jesus says that all He had to do was ask, and His Father would give Him "more than twelve legions of angels." How many angels are in a "legion"? Jesus probably had in view the "legions" of soldiers that made up Roman armies. A legion consisted of at least 6,000 soldiers, so a legion of angels would be at least 6,000 of them. Therefore, "more than twelve legions of angels" would be more than 72,000 angels!

Jesus made this statement after a disciple drew his sword and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. The disciple was attempting to defend Jesus when a crowd led by Judas seized Him to take Him away. Paraphrased, Jesus was saying, "You should know by now that if I need deliverance from My enemies, all I have to do is ask My Father, and He will send an army of angels—so why are you drawing your puny little sword? Besides, relying on the sword is a good way to get yourself killed."

Jesus' more significant point was that the Kingdom would not come in the time or manner the sword-wielding disciple expected it to come and that what was happening to Him was a necessary step in the unfolding of God's plan and purpose in the redemption of Israel and of all humankind.