Greek noun · G4245
πρεσβύτερος
presbyterospres-boo'-ter-os
of age, elder; Of dignity, rank or office
65 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: presbýteros
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G4245is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 12 of 27New Testament books
- 9spellings
- 2meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · G4245
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter"
The King James renders it: elder(-est), old.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
presbyteros is rendered "of age, elder; Of dignity, rank or office". It stands 65 times in the Greek text, across twelve books.
- Eighteen of the uses stand in Acts, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists two meanings for it, beginning with "of age, elder".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 15:2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”
- The Greek text spells it nine different ways.
The first use
“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”
Matthew 15:2πρεσβυτέρων
The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.
Where the word stands
What the word means
The word carries two meanings: of age, elder, and Of dignity, rank or office.
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| of age, elderὁ νἱὸς ὁ π., Luk.15:25; as subst., opposite to νεανίσκοι, Act.2:17; to νεώτερος, 1Ti.5:1-2; of the religious leaders of the past,... | Tagged as
| WhereMatthew 15:2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before… |
| Of dignity, rank or officeas found in π. and Inscr. of civil and religious offices | Tagged aslisted under the table | WhereMatthew 16:21From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer… |
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
| Word | Written | Meaning | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| πρεσβύτης | presbytes | old man | Uses3 |
| πρεσβυτέριον | presbyterion | council of elders | Uses3 |
| πρεσβεία | presbeia | delegation | Uses2 |
| πρεσβεύω | presbeuo | be ambassador | Uses2 |
| πρεσβῦτις | presbytis | old woman | Uses1 |
All 65, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
9 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- πρεσβυτέρων21
- πρεσβύτεροι20
- πρεσβυτέρους12
- πρεσβυτέροις5
- πρεσβύτερος3
- πρεσβυτέρας1
- πρεσβύτεροι.¶1
- πρεσβυτέρου1
- Πρεσβυτέρῳ1
The grammar of each form
- noun · genitive (“of”) · masculine plural19N-GPM
- noun · nominative (subject) · masculine plural17N-NPM
- noun · accusative (object) · masculine plural12N-APM
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine plural4N-DPM
- noun · nominative (subject) · masculine singular3N-NSM
- noun · genitive (“of”) · masculine plural2N-GPM-T
- noun · nominative (subject) · masculine plural2N-NPM-C
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine plural1N-APF-C
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine plural1N-DPM-C
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine singular1N-DSM-C
- noun · genitive (“of”) · masculine singular1N-GSM
- noun · nominative (subject) · masculine plural1N-NPM-T
Matthew
twelve uses
“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.
- πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying,
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Mark
seven uses
Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Luke
five uses
When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
- πρεσβύτεροςpresbuterosnoun · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: elder
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him.
- πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Acts
eighteen uses
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · vocative (address) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
- πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
- πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
1 Timothy
four uses
Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
- Πρεσβυτέρῳpresbuteronoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine singulartagged: An elder
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
- πρεσβυτέραςpresbuterasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: elder
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- πρεσβυτέρουpresbuterounoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine singulartagged: an elder
Titus
one use
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Hebrews
one use
This is why the ancients were commended.
- πρεσβύτεροι.¶presbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: ancients
James
one use
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
1 Peter
two uses
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
- Πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: Elders
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- πρεσβυτέροιςpresbuteroisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: to elders
2 John
one use
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
- πρεσβύτεροςpresbuterosnoun · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: elder
3 John
one use
The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
- πρεσβύτεροςpresbuterosnoun · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: elder
Revelation
twelve uses
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
- πρεσβυτέρουςpresbuterousnoun · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
- πρεσβυτέρωνpresbuteronnoun · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
- πρεσβύτεροιpresbuteroinoun · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: elders
Where it leads
Studies that open this word1
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.
