δεσμώτης (desmōtēs)
desmōtēs
prisoner
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun desmōtēs refers to a prisoner or captive, specifically one held in bonds. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Acts 27, describing Paul’s status during his journey to Rome. The word emphasizes the physical reality of being bound, reflecting its root connection to chains or fetters.
In these passages, Paul is called a desmōtēs by Roman soldiers and officials, highlighting his legal confinement rather than just imprisonment. This term underscores the tension between his status as a prisoner and his freedom in Christ, a theme that runs through Acts 27 as he remains confident despite his circumstances.
Though rare, desmōtēs carries theological weight by illustrating how physical bondage does not limit spiritual authority. Paul’s use of this title in Acts 27 shows that even in chains, he serves as a witness to the gospel, demonstrating that true freedom lies beyond earthly constraints.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word desmōtēs simply means a prisoner or one held in bonds. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both describing Paul during his voyage to Rome. The term highlights the physical reality of chains and confinement, yet it also reveals a profound spiritual truth: earthly restrictions do not limit God’s purposes.
When you face seasons where your freedom feels restricted—whether by illness, circumstance, or hardship—this word offers comfort. Paul was a desmōtēs, yet he remained confident in Christ. His chains could not silence the gospel or stop his witness. This reminds us that our true identity is not defined by our external constraints but by our freedom in Jesus.
Even when life feels binding, God’s grace remains active. You are never beyond the reach of His love or His plan. Trust that He walks with you through every season, bringing hope and peace even in the most difficult circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- prisoners2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δεσμώτας2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:1
When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
This verse introduces Paul as a prisoner among others, establishing his legal status while beginning the narrative of his journey to Rome.
-
Acts 27:42
The soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.
Here the soldiers consider killing the prisoners, showing how desmōtēs marks those viewed as disposable yet whom God preserves.