{The governor under Aretas} (ho ethnarch(8873) Hareta). How
it came to pass that Damascus, ruled by the Romans after B.C. 65,
came at this time to be under the rule of Aretas, fourth of the
name, King of the Nabatheans (II Macc. 5:8), we do not know.
There is an absence of Roman coins in Damascus from A.D. 34 to
62. It is suggested (Plummer) that Caligula, to mark his dislike
for Antipas, gave Damascus to Aretas (enemy of Antipas).
{Guarded} (ephrourei). Imperfect active of phroure(935c), old verb
(from phrouros, a guard) to guard by posting sentries. In  Ac
9:24  we read that the Jews kept watch to seize Paul, but there
is no conflict as they cooperated with the guard set by Aretas at
their request. {To seize} (piasai). Doric first aorist active
infinitive of piez(935c) ( Lu 6:38 ) for which see on 涉c 3:7|.