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λεπρός (lepros)

lepros

leprous

G3015 · Greek · New Testament · 9 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
9 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective lepros describes skin that is scaly or rough, serving as the Greek term for what is commonly called leprosy. In the New Testament, it functions primarily as a noun to identify a person suffering from this condition, known as "the leper." This word appears in nine verses, with significant occurrences in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Its usage highlights Jesus' direct engagement with those marginalized by disease. He heals individuals described with this term in passages such as Matthew 8:2 and Mark 1:40. The text also references Simon, who is identified as a former leper in Matthew 26:6, illustrating the social transition from exclusion to inclusion that followed his healing.

The term carries heavy theological weight because it denotes ritual uncleanness under Mosaic law. By touching and healing those marked by lepros, Jesus challenges the boundaries of purity. This action signals that divine power extends beyond physical restoration to restore social standing, a theme central to the ministry narratives in the Synoptic Gospels.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word lepros points to a condition that in biblical times carried heavy social weight. It marked people as ritually unclean, pushing them to the edges of community life. When you read about those described with this term, you are seeing individuals who faced isolation not just from illness, but from the religious and social structures around them.

Jesus’ response to this reality is striking. He does not merely speak from a distance; he touches and cleanses. In passages like Matthew 8:2, a man approaches Jesus with humble faith, asking only for cleansing. Jesus’ willingness to break purity boundaries shows that divine love reaches into the deepest places of human shame and exclusion.

This narrative invites us to see how grace restores more than physical health. It restores dignity and belonging. The story of Simon in Matthew 26:6 further illustrates this shift, showing a former leper now hosting Jesus at a meal. Such scenes remind us that no one is beyond the reach of healing and acceptance.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • lepers4×
  • a leper2×
  • leprous1×
  • leper,1×
  • leper1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • λεπροὶ4×
  • λεπρὸς2×
  • λεπροῦ,1×
  • λεπροῦ1×
  • λεπροὺς1×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 8:2
    Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

    This verse captures the raw humility of the leper who approaches Jesus, trusting that divine will is sufficient for his restoration.

  • Mark 1:40
    A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”

    Here the physical act of kneeling underscores the desperate hope of someone seeking to move from exclusion back into community.

  • Luke 17:12
    As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.

    The ten lepers standing at a distance highlight the social barrier that Jesus’ ministry actively worked to dismantle.

  • Matthew 26:6
    Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

    Identifying Simon as 'the leper' shows how his past identity was transformed by healing, allowing him to host the Lord in his home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does lepros mean in the New Testament?

It is an adjective describing someone suffering from a skin condition that rendered them ritually unclean under Mosaic law. In the Gospels, it often functions as a noun to identify 'the leper,' highlighting their marginalized social status.

How is this word different from modern medical leprosy?

The biblical term likely covered various severe skin diseases or conditions that caused visible scaling and isolation. While it overlaps with Hansen’s disease, the primary focus in the text is on ritual purity and social exclusion rather than precise medical diagnosis.

Why does Jesus touch those described as lepros?

Touching them was a radical act that reversed their status from unclean to clean. By breaking the taboo against contact, Jesus demonstrated that God’s power and love extend beyond religious boundaries to restore full human dignity.

Where else does this word appear in Scripture?

It appears in key healing narratives such as Matthew 8:2, Mark 1:40, and Luke 17:12. It also identifies Simon in Matthew 26:6, showing the long-term impact of Jesus’ ministry on those once excluded.

Every Occurrence (9 verses across 3 books)

Matthew 4 verses
Matthew 8:2

Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.

Matthew 11:5

the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the…

Matthew 26:6

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

Mark 2 verses
Luke 3 verses