μεγαλειότης (megaleiotēs)
megaleiotēs
majesty
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun megaleiōtēs refers to visible greatness or majestic splendor. It describes a grandeur that is not merely abstract but something manifest and impressive to the eye. The word appears only three times in the New Testament, appearing in Luke, Acts, and Second Peter.
In Luke 9:43, it characterizes the awe-inspiring nature of Jesus’ power as crowds witnessed his miracles. Acts 19:27 uses it to describe the commercial and social impact on the temple of Artemis, where the goddess’s majesty was threatened by the spread of Christianity. Second Peter 1:16 applies it to the transfiguration, highlighting the visible glory of Christ’s divine nature.
Its root connects to words meaning great or large, emphasizing scale and dignity. Translators often render it as "majesty" or "splendor," capturing a sense of royal or divine magnificence that commands respect and attention from those who witness it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word megaleiōtēs points to a visible greatness that demands attention. It is not an abstract idea but a reality you can see and feel. When people witnessed Jesus healing the sick or calming storms, they did not just notice good deeds; they encountered a majesty that shook their understanding of who God is.
This sense of awe remains central to Christian faith. In 2 Peter 1:16, the apostle reminds us that we do not rely on myths but on eyewitness accounts of Christ’s glory. This majesty is not reserved for ancient times; it invites you to trust in a Lord whose power is real and present.
Even when the world around you feels chaotic, this word offers stability. It reminds you that God’s presence is tangible and His authority is undeniable. You can rest in the knowledge that the same majesty that filled the temple in Acts now fills your life through Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- majesty2×
- majesty.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μεγαλειότητος.1×
- μεγαλειότητος1×
- μεγαλειότητι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 9:43
They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
This verse captures the immediate, visceral awe of the crowd as they witness Jesus' power, linking divine majesty directly to His earthly ministry.
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II Peter 1:16
For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Peter uses this term to ground the gospel in historical reality, contrasting eyewitness testimony of Christ's glory with mere fables.
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Acts 19:27
Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”
Here the word highlights the tangible threat that the Gospel poses to established worldly powers and idolatrous systems.