Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "Praetorium" refers to the official residence or headquarters of a Roman governor or high-ranking official. In the context of the New Testament, it is most notably associated with the events surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.Biblical References: 1. Matthew 27:27 : "Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him." This passage describes the location where Jesus was mocked and beaten by Roman soldiers before His crucifixion. The Praetorium here is likely the governor's palace in Jerusalem, where Pontius Pilate resided during his stay in the city. 2. Mark 15:16 : "Then the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called the whole company together." Similar to Matthew's account, Mark identifies the Praetorium as the place where Jesus was taken by Roman soldiers. The use of the term "palace" suggests a grand and authoritative setting, fitting for the Roman governor's headquarters. 3. John 18:28 : "Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was early morning, and they did not enter the Praetorium to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover." In John's Gospel, the Praetorium is the location where Jesus is brought before Pilate. The Jewish leaders' reluctance to enter the Praetorium highlights their concern for ritual purity, as entering a Gentile's residence could render them ceremonially unclean. 4. John 19:9 : "He went back into the Praetorium and asked Jesus, 'Where are You from?' But Jesus gave no answer." This verse depicts Pilate returning to the Praetorium to question Jesus further, emphasizing the significance of this location as the center of Roman judicial authority. Historical and Cultural Context: The Praetorium served as the administrative center for Roman governance in a province. In Judea, the Roman governor, such as Pontius Pilate, would have used the Praetorium as his official residence and courtroom. The term itself is derived from the Latin "praetor," referring to a Roman magistrate or commander. In Jerusalem, the Praetorium was likely located in the Antonia Fortress or Herod's Palace, both of which served as military and administrative centers. The presence of Roman soldiers and the gathering of the "whole company" around Jesus indicate the Praetorium's role as a military headquarters. Theological Significance: The events that transpired at the Praetorium are central to the Passion narrative. It is here that Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, is subjected to mockery, physical abuse, and unjust condemnation. The Praetorium represents the intersection of Roman political power and Jewish religious authority, both of which played roles in the crucifixion of Christ. The trial before Pilate in the Praetorium underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the suffering Messiah. Despite the apparent power of the Roman authorities, the events at the Praetorium ultimately serve to advance God's redemptive plan through the sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ. Smith's Bible Dictionary Praetorium(in the Revised Version translated palace ,) (Matthew 27:27; John 18:28,33; 19:3) the headquarters of the Roman military governor, wherever he happened to be. In time of peace some one of the best buildings of the city which, was the residence of the proconsul or praetor, was selected for this purpose. Thus at Caesarea that of Herod the Great was occupied by Felix, (Acts 23:35) and at Jerusalem the new palace erected by the same prince was the residence of Pilate. After the Roman power was established in Judea, a Roman guard was always maintained in the Antonia. The praetorian camp at Rome, to which St. Paul refers, (Philemon 1:13) was erected by the emperor Tiberius, acting under the advice of Sejanus. It stood outside the walls, at some distance short of the fourth milestone. St. Paul appears to have been permitted, for the space of two years, to lodge, so to speak, "within the rules" of the praetorium, (Acts 28:30) Although still under the custody of a soldier. Easton's Bible Dictionary The Greek word (praitorion) thus rendered in Mark 15:16 is rendered "common hall" (Matthew 27:27, marg., "governor's house"), "judgment hall," (John 18:28, 33, marg., "Pilate's house", 19:9; Acts 23:35), "palace" (Philippians 1:13). This is properly a military word. It denotes (1) the general's tent or headquarters; (2) the governor's residence, as in Acts 23:35 (R.V., "palace"); and (3) the praetorian guard (see PALACE), or the camp or quarters of the praetorian cohorts (Acts 28:16), the imperial guards in immediate attendance on the emperor, who was "praetor" or commander-in-chief. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) See Pretorium.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PRAETORIUMpre-to'-ri-um praitorion, Matthew 27:27 (the King James Version "common hall"); Mark 15:16 John 18:28, 33; John 19:9 (in all margins "palace," and in the last three the King James Version "judgment hall"); Acts 23:35, (Herod's) "palace," margin "Praetorium," the King James Version "judgment hall"; Philippians 1:13, "praetorian guard" (margin "Greek `in the whole Pretorium,' " the King James Version "palace," margin "Caesar's court"): Greek 4232. praitorion -- Praetorium (official residence of a governor) ... ... Praetorium (official residence of a governor), praetorian guard. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: praitorion Phonetic Spelling: (prahee-to'-ree-on ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4232.htm - 7k Library Jesus Before Pilate. The Trial Before Pilate. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians Friday --The Day of Suffering. Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings. First Stage of the Roman Trial. Jesus Before Pilate for the First ... The Trial Before Pilate Resumed. Jesus Sentenced The Apostle's Position and Circumstances Introductory Thesaurus Praetorium (8 Occurrences)... (n.) See Pretorium. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRAETORIUM. ... See also preceding article. EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance Praetorium (8 Occurrences) ... /p/praetorium.htm - 14k Praetorian (2 Occurrences) Palace (194 Occurrences) Judgment (430 Occurrences) Guard (185 Occurrences) Led (260 Occurrences) Gabbatha (1 Occurrence) Inside (185 Occurrences) Defiled (119 Occurrences) Morn (8 Occurrences) Resources What is the Via Dolorosa? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is truth? | GotQuestions.org Praetorium: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Praetorium (8 Occurrences)Matthew 27:27 Mark 15:16 John 18:28 John 18:33 John 19:8 John 19:9 Acts 23:35 Philippians 1:13 Subtopics Related Terms |