καθαρός (katharos)
katharos
clean
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective katharos describes something that is clean or pure, carrying a sense of being free from mixture, contamination, or guilt. Its usage spans the physical and the moral: it can refer to literal cleanliness, such as the spotless burial cloth in Matthew 27:59, or to ethical integrity, as when Jesus blesses those with pure hearts in Matthew 5:8.
A particularly vivid application appears in John 15:3, where Jesus tells his disciples they are already "clean" because of his teaching. Here the word functions metaphorically, likening the effect of divine instruction to a vine being pruned so it can bear fruit. This agricultural image highlights that purity is not merely a state of ritual status but an active preparation for spiritual productivity.
While often translated simply as "pure," the term also carries legal and ceremonial weight. In Titus 1:15, it describes how things remain clean to those who are themselves pure, suggesting that moral condition influences perception. The word’s range—from clear water to blameless conscience—shows how ancient writers connected physical clarity with inner sincerity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katharos points to a state of being free from mixture or contamination. In the New Testament, this purity moves beyond ritual washing to describe the condition of the human heart. Jesus highlights this shift in Matthew 5:8, promising that those with pure hearts will see God. This suggests that true clarity comes from inner integrity rather than external appearance.
We also find this term used in agricultural metaphors, such as John 15:3, where disciples are described as already pruned clean by Christ’s teaching. Here, purity is linked to spiritual productivity and readiness for fruitfulness. It serves as a reminder that divine instruction helps remove distractions, allowing us to focus on what matters most.
Ultimately, this concept invites us to examine our own consciences. Whether referring to literal cleanliness or moral sincerity, the call remains consistent: live with transparency before God. This hope encourages believers to pursue honesty and love, knowing that such a life honors the Creator who values truth above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pure8×
- clean8×
- pure;2×
- pure.2×
- a pure2×
- purity1×
- innocent1×
- clear.1×
- clear1×
- clean.1×
- [is] pure,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καθαρὸν4×
- καθαρὰ4×
- καθαρᾷ3×
- καθαρᾶς3×
- καθαροί3×
- καθαρῷ.2×
- καθαρὸς2×
- καθαρός1×
- καθαρόν·1×
- καθαρόν.¶1×
- καθαρόν.1×
- καθαρόν,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
This verse establishes purity as an internal heart condition required to behold God, shifting focus from ritual to character.
-
John 15:3
You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Jesus uses the term metaphorically to show that his teaching actively cleanses disciples, preparing them for spiritual fruitfulness.
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Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
This occurrence highlights how a person’s moral state influences their perception, suggesting that purity shapes one's entire worldview.
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James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
The text defines practical religion as keeping oneself unstained by the world while caring for the vulnerable, linking purity to action.