αὐτόπτης (autoptēs)
autoptēs
eyewitness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun autoptēs refers to a person who sees something with their own eyes, serving as a direct eyewitness. It is formed from words meaning "self" and "seeing," emphasizing personal observation rather than hearsay. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Luke 1:2, where it describes those who personally witnessed the events concerning Jesus.
This word carries significant weight because it grounds the narrative in physical reality. Unlike reports based on secondhand information, an autoptēs provides testimony that is verified by direct experience. The author of Luke uses this specific term to highlight the reliability of his account, distinguishing it from stories that might circulate without factual basis. It underscores the importance of firsthand knowledge in establishing truth.
Translators typically render autoptēs as "eyewitness" or "those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses." This choice preserves the emphasis on visual confirmation and personal involvement. The term reminds readers that the gospel message is not merely a collection of myths, but a record of events observed by real people who stood where those events took place.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word autoptēs describes someone who sees with their own eyes. It combines 'self' and 'seeing' to show personal observation. In Luke 1:2, it refers to those who witnessed Jesus’ life firsthand. This grounds the gospel in real history, not just stories.
For your faith, this means the Christian message rests on verified events. You can trust that what you read happened as recorded. It invites you to believe based on solid evidence, not hearsay. This assurance strengthens your confidence in God’s work in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eyewitnesses1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐτόπται1×
Key Verses
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Luke 1:2
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
This verse uses autoptēs to identify the original witnesses who personally saw Jesus’ ministry and passed on their accounts.