Judgment Hall
Gr. praitorion (John 18:28, 33; 19:9; Matthew 27:27), "common hall." In all these passages the Revised Version renders "palace." In Mark 15:16 the word is rendered "Praetorium" (q.v.), which is a Latin word, meaning literally the residence of the praetor, and then the governor's residence in general, though not a praetor. Throughout the Gospels the word "praitorion" has this meaning (comp. Acts 23:35). Pilate's official residence when he was in Jerusalem was probably a part of the fortress of Antonia.
The trial of our Lord was carried on in a room or office of the palace. The "whole band" spoken of by Mark were gathered together in the palace court.
The word pr'torium is so translated five times in the Authorized Version of the New Testament, and in those five passages it denotes two different places.
- In (John 18:28,33; 19:9) it is the residence which Pilate occupied when he visited Jerusalem. The site of Pilate's pr'torium in Jerusalem has given rise to much dispute, some supposing it to be the palace of King Herod, others the tower of Antonia; but it was probably the latter, which was then and long afterward the citadel of Jerusalem.
- In (Acts 23:35) Herod's judgment hall or pr'torium in C'sarea was doubtless a part of that magnificent range of buildings the erection of which by King Herod is described in Josephus. The word "palace," or "C'sar's court." in the Authorized Version of (Philemon 1:13) is a translation of the same word pr'torium. It may here have denoted the quarter of that detachment of the pr'torian guards which was in immediate attendance upon the emperor, and had barracks in Mount Palatine at Rome.