Originally the praetorium was the headquarters of a Roman army commander, whether the supreme commander in Rome or a lesser commander in one of the provinces. Later it became also the official residence and administration centre of the provincial governor (Matt 27:27; Mark 15:16; Acts 23:10,35; 25:6,13-14). On one occasion when Paul was held prisoner, he mentioned that he was guarded by soldiers from the praetorium (Phil 1:13).