{Plot} (epiboul(885c)). Old word for a plan (oul(885c)) against
(epi) one. In the N.T. only in Acts ( 9:24  20:3,19  23:30 ).
{They watched} (paret(8872)ounto). Imperfect middle indicative of
parat(8872)e(935c), common verb in late Greek for watching beside
(para) or insidiously or on the sly as in  Lu 6:7 , they kept
on watching by day and night to kill him. In  2Co 11:32  Paul
says that the Ethnarch of Aretas "kept guard" (ephrourei,
imperfect active of phroure(935c)) to seize him. Probably the Jews
obtained the consent of the Ethnarch and had him appoint some of
them as guards or watchers at the gate of the city.