πρωτοκλισία (prōtoklisia)
prōtoklisia
place of honor
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun prōtoklisia refers to the chief place at a banquet, literally the "first reclining spot." In the ancient world, seating arrangements were not random; they signaled social rank and honor. This word describes the position of prominence where the most respected guests would recline, reflecting a culture deeply concerned with status and public recognition.
The Gospels highlight this term when Jesus critiques religious leaders who love "the place of honor at banquets" (Matthew 23:6; Mark 12:39). In Luke’s parable, a guest is advised not to take the prōtoklisia, lest someone more distinguished arrive and force him to move to the lowest place (Luke 14:8-9). The word underscores the tension between self-promotion and humble service, warning against the desire for public acclaim.
Derived from prōtos ("first") and klisis ("reclining"), the term captures a specific cultural practice of dining on couches. It serves as a vivid illustration of worldly values that Jesus consistently challenges, urging his followers to seek humility rather than elevated status in the eyes of men.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word prōtoklisia points to the chief place at a banquet, the spot reserved for the most respected guests. In Jesus’ time, where you sat was not just about comfort; it showed your social rank and how much others valued you. It is easy to feel a pull toward being seen as important or having our status recognized by those around us.
Jesus addresses this desire directly when he warns against seeking the place of honor. He invites us to consider a different path, one rooted in humility rather than self-promotion. True value comes not from how others see us, but from who sees us. This shift in perspective frees us from the anxiety of maintaining our image.
When we choose the lower seat, we find peace in knowing our worth is secure. We are invited to serve quietly and trust that God will lift us up in His time. This approach removes the pressure to compete for attention and allows us to focus on loving others with genuine humility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- first places3×
- first place,1×
- chief place1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πρωτοκλισίας3×
- πρωτοκλισίαν,1×
- πρωτοκλισίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:6
and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Jesus identifies the love of this place as a specific trait of religious leaders who prioritize public recognition over true righteousness.
-
Luke 14:8
“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,
In this parable, Jesus uses the risk of being asked to move from this seat to teach the practical wisdom of choosing humility first.
-
Mark 12:39
and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,
This occurrence links the desire for the best places at feasts with a broader pattern of seeking honor in synagogues and public spaces.