SERGEANTS (ῥαβδοῦχοι, rod-bearers). The word is used in KJV (Acts 16:35, 38) for the lictors of the “praetors” of Philippi. “Police” of RSV is hardly more accurate than the medieval tr. of KJV. Philippi was a Rom. colony, whose petty magistrates bore the honorary Rom. title of praetors. Their lictors were personal attendants, bodyguards, and executive officers for small duties such as those described in the passage.