οἰκία (oikia)
oikia
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Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 85 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun oikia refers to a house or dwelling place, appearing 85 times in the New Testament with a strong presence in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Mark. While it literally denotes an inhabited building, its meaning expands to include the property within that structure and the people who live there. This dual sense is visible when Jesus speaks of the "household" in Matthew 12:25 or when the Gospel writers describe the physical location of events, such as Peter’s mother-in-law’s home in Mark 1:29.
A notable distinction exists between oikia and its near-synonym oikos. In classical Attic law, oikos referred to the entire estate or family line, whereas oikia specifically meant the dwelling house itself. Although this legal precision fades in later Greek, the New Testament retains a focus on the physical abode. This concrete usage grounds theological metaphors, such as Paul’s description of the human body as a temporary "house" in 2 Corinthians 5:1, or Jesus’ reference to his Father’s "house" in John 14:2.
The word often carries significant weight when describing community and belonging. It appears in contexts where hospitality and domestic life intersect with faith, such as the healing of the paralytic lowered through a roof (Mark 2:4) or the gathering of believers in a specific home (Acts 12:12). By anchoring spiritual truths in the tangible reality of a household, oikia emphasizes that faith is lived out within the walls and relationships of everyday life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word oikia describes more than just a building; it captures the life within those walls. In the New Testament, this term often shifts focus from bricks and mortar to the people who share a roof. When Jesus speaks of the household, He is addressing the community bound together by love and trust. This reminds us that our faith is not lived in isolation but in the daily interactions with family, friends, and neighbors.
Consider how frequently this word appears in the Gospels during moments of healing and teaching. Jesus entered homes to restore health, share parables, and offer peace. These stories show that the ordinary spaces of our lives are sacred ground where divine grace meets human need. Whether you are hosting guests or sitting quietly with your family, these settings become places where God’s presence is felt.
Ultimately, oikia points to a sense of belonging. It invites us to see our homes as centers of hospitality and witness. By opening our doors and hearts, we participate in a tradition that values community above all else. This simple word encourages us to build relationships that reflect the stability and warmth found in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 85 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- house62×
- houses7×
- a house6×
- house,5×
- household3×
- [the] house3×
- house.2×
- households1×
- household.1×
- house;1×
- house to house.1×
- home1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἰκίαν35×
- οἰκίᾳ22×
- οἰκίας15×
- οἰκία9×
- οἰκίαν,5×
- οἰκίᾳ,3×
- οἰκίᾳ.1×
- οἰκίας·1×
- οἰκίας.¶1×
- οἰκίας.1×
- οἰκίαν.1×
- οἰκιῶν1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
This verse uses the house as a metaphor for a life built on obedience, showing how the word grounds abstract spiritual truths in tangible reality.
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Matthew 8:14
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
Here the term identifies a specific physical location where Jesus performs a healing, highlighting the intersection of domestic life and divine power.
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Matthew 10:12
As you enter into the household, greet it.
The instruction to greet the household demonstrates how the word extends to include the entire community residing within a dwelling.
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Matthew 9:10
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
This occurrence shows the house as a gathering place for Jesus and marginalized people, emphasizing hospitality and inclusion within the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between oikia and oikos?
Why is the word 'house' significant in Jesus' ministry?
How does oikia relate to Christian hospitality?
Every Occurrence (85 verses across 11 books)
Matthew 25 verses
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening…
Matthew 5:15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the…
Matthew 7:24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on…
Matthew 7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded…
Matthew 7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
Matthew 8:6saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”
Matthew 8:14When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
Matthew 9:10As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Matthew 9:23When Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder,
Matthew 9:28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do…
Matthew 10:12As you enter into the household, greet it.
Matthew 10:13If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every…
Matthew 12:29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then…
Matthew 13:1On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside.
Matthew 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the…
Matthew 13:57They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in…
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…
Matthew 23:14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…
Matthew 24:17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house.
Matthew 24:43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have…
Matthew 26:6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,