Praetorium

The Praetorium (Latin, from praetor) was originally the general's tent in a Roman military camp, then the headquarters of a provincial governor, and by extension any residence of the Roman governor or emperor's representative. In the Passion narrative, Jesus was brought into the Praetorium (Pilate's headquarters) after the Jewish authorities refused to enter it to avoid ceremonial defilement (John 18:28–33). Matthew and Mark call it the "common hall" or "governor's palace" (Matt. 27:27; Mark 15:16). In Caesarea, the Praetorium of Herod was where Paul was detained (Acts 23:35). Paul's reference to his bonds becoming known "throughout the whole praetorium" (Phil. 1:13) likely refers to the imperial guard in Rome, indicating his imprisonment had brought the gospel to the heart of Roman power.