A noun for an official who executes judgments, collects debts, or enforces penalties—a bailiff, court officer, tax collector, or avenger. Jesus uses it in teaching about reconciling with one's accuser: if you don't settle before court, the judge will hand you to 'the officer,' who will throw you into prison (Luke 12:58, appearing twice in the verse). The word emphasizes the enforcement role—this is the one who makes judgments concrete, who carries out sentences. Classical usage included tax collectors and those who exact punishment. Once the officer has you, imprisonment follows.