μακρός (makros)
makros
long/distant
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective makros describes something that is long in space or time. In the New Testament, it most often appears when referring to physical distance, such as a country that is far away (Luke 15:13; 19:12). It can also describe duration, indicating that an action lasts for a considerable period.
A notable usage occurs in accounts of religious hypocrisy, where makros modifies prayer. Jesus warns against those who make long prayers as a display of piety (Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47). Here, the word highlights not just length but the excessive nature of the act, contrasting genuine devotion with performative ritual.
Derived from roots implying extension, makros captures both spatial remoteness and temporal endurance. Translators typically render it as "long" or "far," depending on whether the context emphasizes geography or time. Its presence in Luke and Mark underscores themes of journey and authenticity in early Christian teaching.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word makros reminds us that distance—whether across a map or through time—does not separate us from God’s presence. In Luke 15:13, the younger son travels to a far country, seeking freedom in isolation. Yet even there, he remains within reach of grace. This suggests that physical separation is never a barrier to divine mercy.
Jesus also uses makros to warn against performative religion in Mark 12:40. He condemns those who make long prayers not because length is bad, but because they use it as a mask for exploitation. True devotion does not need to be loud or lengthy to be real. God sees the heart behind the words.
We are invited to trust that God is near, no matter how far we feel from home or how distant our struggles may seem. Our faith is not measured by miles traveled or hours spent, but by sincerity and love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- distant2×
- at great length2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μακρὰν2×
- μακρὰ2×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:40
those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Jesus uses makros to critique religious hypocrisy, showing that lengthy prayers can mask exploitation rather than express genuine devotion.
-
Luke 15:13
Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
The younger son’s journey to a far country illustrates how physical distance does not remove one from the possibility of repentance and return.
-
Luke 19:12
He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
The nobleman’s trip to a far country sets up a parable about accountability, where absence precedes eventual return and judgment.