ἀναίτιος (anaitios)
anaitios
innocent
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective anaitios describes a person who is guiltless or innocent, specifically in the sense of being free from blame or responsibility for a particular act. Its formation combines a negative prefix with a root related to "cause" or "responsibility," effectively meaning "without cause for accusation." In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both within the Gospel of Matthew, where it carries significant legal and moral weight.
Jesus uses this term when discussing the Sabbath, arguing that His disciples are anaitios because they are responding to a greater need than ritual observance. He supports this by referencing David’s actions and the temple priests who work on the Sabbath without being considered guilty. The word underscores that innocence is not merely about following rules but about the underlying intent and necessity of one's actions.
Translators typically render anaitios as "innocent" or "guiltless," capturing the idea that no charge can be legitimately brought against the person in question. This usage highlights a theological point where compassion and human need take precedence over strict legal interpretation, presenting innocence as a state of moral clarity rather than mere procedural compliance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaitios describes a state of being free from blame, not just in a legal sense but in the heart of God. It suggests that true innocence is rooted in mercy and necessity rather than rigid rule-following. When we face situations where human need conflicts with strict traditions, this term reminds us that compassion often takes precedence.
In Matthew 12:7, Jesus quotes Hosea to highlight that God desires mercy over sacrifice. This shifts our focus from merely avoiding fault to actively showing love. It invites us to trust that when we act out of genuine care for others, we stand in a place of moral clarity before God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- guiltless.1×
- guiltless1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναίτιοί1×
- ἀναιτίους.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 12:5
Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Jesus uses this term to show that temple priests who work on the Sabbath are blameless because their service fulfills a higher divine purpose.
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Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
This verse connects the concept of innocence directly to God's desire for mercy, warning against condemning those acting with compassionate intent.