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Ῥωμαϊκός (Rhōmaikos)

Rhōmaikos

Latin

G4513 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective Rhōmaikos simply means "Roman" or "Latin," referring to anything pertaining to the city of Rome or its language. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 23:38, where it describes the inscription placed above Jesus’ cross. The text notes that this title was written in Ῥωμαϊκὴ (Rhōmaikē), indicating the Latin tongue used by the occupying power.

This single usage highlights the political reality of the crucifixion. By specifying the language as Roman, the Gospel writer underscores that Jesus’ death was a sentence carried out under imperial authority, not merely local Jewish custom. The word itself is derived from Rhōmē (Rome), serving as a straightforward descriptor of origin or affiliation without deeper theological metaphor.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word Ῥωμαϊκὸς (Rhōmaikos) appears just once in the New Testament, identifying Latin as one of the three languages on the sign above Jesus’ cross. This detail grounds the Gospel story in real history. It shows that Jesus was executed under Roman authority, a political power that controlled Judea at the time.

For your faith, this reminds us that God’s work happens within human history. The cross was not an isolated event but part of the world’s structure. Yet, even in a moment of imperial judgment, God was present. The sign declared who Jesus truly was, despite the political context.

This word invites you to see faith as real and tangible. Your life also takes place in a specific time and place. God meets you there, in the ordinary details of your day. You can trust that He is with you, no matter where you are or what language you speak.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • in Latin1×

Forms in the text

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

  • Ῥωμαϊκοῖς1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 23:38
    An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

    This verse identifies Latin as the language of the official charge against Jesus, showing His death was sanctioned by Roman rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ῥωμαϊκὸς mean in the Bible?

It is an adjective meaning 'Roman' or 'Latin'. In the New Testament, it specifically describes the Latin language used on the sign above Jesus’ cross. This word highlights the historical setting of the crucifixion.

Why does Luke mention Latin in Luke 23:38?

Luke mentions Latin to show that Jesus was tried under Roman authority. The sign was written in three languages: Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. This made the charge clear to many people in Jerusalem.

Is this word used elsewhere in the New Testament?

No, it appears only once. Its single use in Luke 23:38 makes it a unique historical marker. It points to the specific political reality of Jesus’ death without further theological development.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Luke 1 verse
Luke 23:38

An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”