Subject: How many guards? in Matthew 27:65 |
Bible Note: Greetings Jim McGill! The Easton's Bible Dictionary describes "Guard" in this way.. "In the New Testament (Mar_6:27) the Authorized Version renders the Greek 'spekulator' by "executioner," earlier English versions by "hangman," the Revised Version by "soldier of his guard." The word properly means a "pikeman" or "halberdier," of whom the bodyguard of kings and princes was composed. In Mat_27:65-66; Mat_28:11, the Authorized Version renders the Greek 'kustodia' by "watch," and the Revised Version by "guard," the Roman guard, which consisted of four soldiers, who were relieved every three hours (Act_12:4). The "captain of the guard" mentioned Act_28:16 was the commander of the Praetorian troops, whose duty it was to receive and take charge of all prisoners from the provinces." And.. "Three Greek nouns are translated as guard. Hyperetes is used for those guarding the high priest’s quarters (Matt. 26:58; Mark 14:54). Koustodia (Matt. 27:66; 28:11) is a Latin loan word, suggesting that this guard was indeed a Roman guard. Philake is used for stations of guards in Acts 12:10." Holman Bible Dictionary "Mat 27:65 - Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch--The guards had already acted under orders of the Sanhedrim, with Pilate's consent; but probably they were not clear about employing them as a night watch without Pilate's express authority." Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary "Ye have a watch—The Jews had a corps of Roman troops, consisting of several companies, as a guard for the temple, Acts 4:1. These companies mounted guard by turns, see Luke 22:4. Some of these companies, which were not then on duty, Pilate gave them leave to employ to watch the tomb." Adam Clarke's Commentary "Ye have a watch—The Jews had a guard of Roman soldiers, who kept watch in the tower of Antonia, on the northwest of the temple. Pilate either referred to these, or to the “watch” that attended the crucifixion—the whole “band” that had been appointed for that. As the torments of crucifixion sometimes lasted many days, the band had been probably granted to them during that time, and they were therefore still at the direction of the chief priests." Barne's Notes on the NT "Pilate agreed with their suggestion and ordered that a guard be sent to the tomb to make it as secure as possible. The Roman guard not only sealed the tomb (presumably with the official Roman seal and with a cord and wax, which if tampered with, could be detected) but also continued to keep a guard at the scene. Their presence made stealing the body impossible." Bible Knowledge Commentary Jim, of all my sources, these are the most "interesting".. :) Easton's Dictionary seems to claim that it was a Roman guard composed of 4 soldiers, based on Acts 12:4,10. --Nolan |