ἡγεμονία (hēgemonia)
hēgemonia
reign
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hēgemonia denotes sovereign rule or the authority of a commander. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 3:1, to describe the political landscape of Jesus’ ministry. The text lists the reigning Caesar Tiberius alongside local governors like Pontius Pilate, grounding the gospel narrative in specific historical power structures.
Its root relates to leading or guiding, but here it emphasizes the exercise of state power rather than personal guidance. By naming this earthly authority, the passage contrasts human empires with the coming kingdom of God. The word highlights that while Rome held the reins of control, the divine message was unfolding within that very jurisdiction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hēgemonia points to the authority of a ruler or the state of reigning. In Luke 3:1, it anchors the gospel story in real history. Tiberius Caesar held this power, yet God’s message began to unfold within his empire.
This reminds us that no earthly government is outside God’s sight. Even when human leaders seem distant or harsh, divine purposes move forward. Your life happens under visible authorities, but also under God’s unseen care.
When you face difficult systems or uncertain times, remember that history is not random. God works through and beyond human power structures to bring hope and redemption to those who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reign1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἡγεμονίας1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
This occurrence grounds the gospel in a specific historical moment by naming Tiberius Caesar’s reign, showing that God’s plan unfolds within real political contexts.