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GUARD.—1. Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 rendering of κουστωδία (Lat. custodia), Matthew 27:65-66; Matthew 28:11, Authorized Version ‘watch’; obtained by the chief priests and Pharisees from Pilate to guard the sepulchre. The need of Pilate’s authorization and the risk of punishment from him (Matthew 28:14) show that this guard must have consisted, not of the Jewish Temple police, but of soldiers from the Roman cohort at Jerusalem; possibly, though not probably, the same as had guarded the cross (ἔχετε, Matthew 27:65, is probably imperative, ‘have (take) a guard’). A watch usually consisted of four men (Polyb. vi. 33), each of whom watched in turn, while the others rested beside him so as to be roused by the least alarm; but in this case the guards may have been more numerous.

2. ‘A soldier of his [Herod’s] guard’ ( Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 translation of σπεκουλάτωρ, Lat. speculator, Authorized Version ‘executioner’) beheaded John the Baptist, Mark 6:27. Speculatores were originally spies or scouts (from specula, ‘a look-out’); but we find them chiefly employed (a) as messengers or couriers, carrying official despatches; (b) as military executioners. A certain number were attached to each legion, besides others belonging to the Praetorian guard, who were closely attached to the Emperor’s person and ready for any special service. There are many examples in classical writers (e.g. Seneca, de Ira, i. ii. 4), Acts of Martyrs, and Rabbinic writings, of their employment as executioners; for reff. see Schürer, Wetstein, etc. The Herods had bodyguards (δορυφόροι, σωματοφύλεκες, Josephus BJ i. xxxiii. 7–9, ii. xv. 1, etc.), and may have given them the Roman title of speculatores; or the word may here be used generally for an executioner. Herod sent some of his guards (δορυφόροι) to kill his son Antipater (Ant. xvii. vii. 1, BJ i. xxxiii. 7).

Literature.—Schürer, HJ^{P [Note: JP History of the Jewish People.]} i. ii. 62f.; Benson, Cyprian, 505 n^{. [Note: note.]} ; Golling in Hase and lken’s Thes. Nov. ii. 405; Marquardt, Romische Staatsverwaltung, ii. pp. 420, 547.

Harold Smith.