Matthew 27:27

τότε : when Jesus had been sentenced to crucifixion. οἱ στρατιῶται τ. ἡ., the soldiers of the governor, i.e., his bodyguard. παραλαβόντες, etc.: they conducted Jesus from the scene of judgment (without) to the πραιτώριον, i.e., the official residence of the procurator, either Herod's palace, or more probably a palace connected with the fort Antonia, with barracks attached. The word has various meanings: a general's tent, a governor's residence, the barracks of the Praetorian guard, the Praetorian guard itself. συνήγαγον, etc.: gathered about Him (for sport) the whole σπεῖραν, at most a cohort of 600, more probably a maniple of 200. (“ σπεῖρα, anything twisted round like a ball of thread, is a translation of ‘manipulus'; a wisp of hay.” Carr in Cam. N. T., ad loc.) A large number to assemble for such a purpose, but Roman soldiers at passover time would always be on the alert for serious work or sport, and here was no ordinary chance of both, a man sentenced to be crucified who passed for King of the Jews. What more natural than to make sport of Him, and through Him to show their contempt for the Jewish people? (Holtzmann, H.C.).