Hall

Hall in the biblical context refers to an open court or large covered vestibule rather than an interior corridor. The Greek word aule (Luke 22:55; rendered palace in some translations and court in the RV) denotes the open courtyard of a house or palace where people gathered—the outdoor space enclosed by the surrounding structure. It was in such a court that Peter warmed himself at a fire and denied Jesus three times during the trial before the high priest.

The hall of judgment (Gr. praetorium; Matt. 27:27; John 18:28) refers to the official headquarters of the Roman governor—in Jerusalem, either Herod's palace on the western hill or the Antonia Fortress adjacent to the temple. Jesus was led into this praetorium hall for interrogation by Pilate. In the Old Testament, temple halls (Heb. ulam) designate the portico or porch of the sanctuary, and Solomon's palace complex included a hall of pillars and a hall of judgment (1 Kings 7:6–7).