"governor"; Greek heegemoon in New Testament, more strictly epitropos . Used of Pontius Pilate, Felix, and Festus (Matthew 27; Acts 23; 24; Acts 26:30). (See PONTIUS PILATE.) Legates governed the imperial provinces, with term of office subject to the emperor's will. They had six lictors, the military dress and sword (Dion Cass. 53:13). Procurators administered for the emperor's treasury (fiscus ) the revenues. In smaller provinces as Judaea, attached to larger as Syria, the procurator had the judicial junctions as "president," subordinate to the chief president over Syria.

Caesarea was the head quarters of the procurator of Judaea (Acts 23:23), where he had his judgment seat (Acts 25:6) in the audience chamber (Acts 25:23), assisted by a council (Acts 25:12) whom he cousulted in difficult cases. He had a bodyguard of soldiers (Matthew 27:27). He visited Jerusalem at the great feasts, when riots were frequent, and resided in Herod's palace, where was the proetorium ("judgment hall," John 19:9; "common hall," Matthew 27:27; Acts 23:35).