λεγεών (legeōn)
legeōn
Legion
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun legiōn refers to a specific military unit of the Roman army, originally comprising roughly six thousand infantrymen alongside a smaller contingent of cavalry. In first-century Palestine, this term carried the heavy weight of imperial occupation, representing the organized force that enforced Roman rule through discipline and overwhelming numbers.
Scripture uses the word in two distinct contexts to highlight different aspects of power. In Matthew 26:53, Jesus invokes it metaphorically to describe a hypothetical army of angels, emphasizing divine protection that far exceeds human military might. Conversely, Mark 5:9 and Luke 8:30 record its literal use when a demon-possessed man identifies himself as "Legion," indicating a host of many spirits.
By applying a term associated with earthly tyranny to a chaotic spiritual presence, the Gospels create a striking contrast. The encounter in the region of the Gerasenes shows that even the most organized and formidable human military structure is powerless against the authority of Jesus, who commands the "legion" of demons to depart.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the first century, a legion was the ultimate symbol of Roman power—a massive, disciplined force that kept order through fear and overwhelming strength. When the Gospels use this word, they are tapping into that deep sense of intimidation. It represents an organized, unstoppable human authority that seemed impossible to resist.
Yet Scripture flips this image in two powerful ways. In Mark 5, a man tormented by many demons calls himself Legion, showing that spiritual chaos can be as heavy and oppressive as any army. But in Matthew 26, Jesus tells Peter He could call down more than twelve legions of angels if needed. This shows that divine protection is not just stronger than human armies; it is vastly greater.
This word reminds us that no force, whether earthly or spiritual, stands above God’s authority. When you face situations that feel overwhelming or out of control, remember that the One who commands heaven’s hosts is on your side. You are never facing your battles alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- legions1×
- legion,1×
- Legion;1×
- Legion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λεγιῶνας1×
- λεγιῶνα,1×
- λεγιών·1×
- λεγιὼν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:53
Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Jesus uses the term metaphorically to describe a hypothetical army of angels, emphasizing that divine protection far exceeds any human military might.
-
Mark 5:9
He asked him, “What is your name?” He said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
The demon identifies itself as Legion, using a military term to convey the sheer number and organized chaos of the spirits possessing the man.
-
Luke 8:30
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.
This verse confirms that many demons had entered the man, linking the singular title 'Legion' directly to the plurality of the spiritual presence.