This noun designates a guard or watchman, especially a military sentinel or prison guard. The plural form refers to the guards as a group or the watch system. Classical Greek used it for any guardian or protector, but in Hellenistic and Roman contexts it commonly meant military guards. All New Testament occurrences are in Acts, describing guards at the prison where the apostles were held. Guards represent earthly power's attempt to contain God's messengers—an attempt that proves futile when angels intervene or when God's purposes require release.