αὐλή (aulē)
aulē
palace/courtyard
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun aulē refers to an open courtyard or enclosure, often serving as the outer space around a house or palace. In the New Testament, it frequently describes the area where servants and guards gather, such as the courtyard of the high priest’s residence during Jesus’ trial (Matthew 26:69; John 18:15). This setting highlights the social distance between the accused and those who might offer support.
Its meaning extends beyond a simple yard to include sheepfolds in pastoral contexts, as seen in John 10:1-16, where Jesus uses the image of a walled enclosure for his flock. The word also appears in reference to the temple courts (Revelation 11:2), connecting it to sacred spaces in Jewish tradition. Translators typically render it as "courtyard" or "palace," depending on the specific building context.
The term reflects a physical boundary that separates inside from outside, often symbolizing access or exclusion. In narratives like Peter’s denial, the courtyard becomes a place of testing and failure, contrasting with the intimate presence of Jesus. This spatial imagery reinforces themes of belonging and rejection in the Gospel accounts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aulē describes an enclosed courtyard or palace grounds, serving as a boundary between the private inner sanctum and the public outer world. In the New Testament, this physical space often becomes a stage for human vulnerability. It is where Peter sat in the cold, separated from Jesus by fear, and where soldiers gathered to mock their King. These courtyards were not merely architectural features; they were places of testing, where loyalty was questioned and identity was put on trial.
Yet this same word also carries a gentle image in John’s Gospel, where Jesus speaks of sheepfolds that protect his flock from danger. The courtyard can be a place of exclusion, but it is also a space where God’s care reaches those who are waiting outside the inner circle. For your faith life, this reminds us that even when we feel distant or exposed, we are seen. We do not need to earn our way into safety; the Shepherd calls us by name, whether we are inside the palace or standing in the open yard.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- courtyard4×
- court3×
- fold2×
- palace,1×
- house,1×
- court.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐλὴν5×
- αὐλῆς3×
- αὐλῆς,1×
- αὐλῇ.1×
- αὐλῇ1×
- αὐλήν,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:69
Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”
This verse places Peter in the courtyard, highlighting how this space became the setting for his denial and the testing of his loyalty.
-
John 10:1
“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.
Here aulē refers to a sheepfold, showing Jesus’ use of the term to describe a place of protection and legitimate entry for the shepherd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aulē mean in the New Testament?
Why is the courtyard significant in Peter’s denial story?
How does Jesus use the word in John 10?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high…
Matthew 26:58But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to…
Matthew 26:69Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”