στέγη (stegē)
stegē
roof
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun stegē refers to the roof of a house, specifically describing the flat, accessible surfaces common in first-century Palestine. Unlike modern pitched roofs designed only for shedding rain, these structures served as functional living spaces. People slept on them during warm nights, dried grain there, and used them as platforms for social interaction or prayer.
This practical reality explains its appearance in the Gospels. In Mark 2:4, friends lower a paralyzed man through the stegē to reach Jesus, demonstrating that these roofs were sturdy enough to support weight and accessible from the outside. Similarly, Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6 record centurions saying they are not worthy for Jesus to enter their homes, noting instead that he need only speak from "under the roof." In this context, the stegē marks a boundary of honor; it is close enough to hear but distant enough to maintain respectful distance.
The word highlights the architectural intimacy of ancient homes. The roof was not merely a cover but an extension of the interior life, blurring the line between private shelter and public space. This physical detail grounds the biblical narratives in the tangible world where Jesus walked and taught.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word stegē refers to the flat, accessible roofs common in first-century Palestine. These were not just covers but functional spaces where people slept, dried grain, and gathered. In Mark 2:4, friends lower a paralyzed man through the roof to reach Jesus, showing these structures were sturdy and open to the community. This physical detail grounds the biblical narratives in the tangible world where Jesus walked and taught.
In Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6, centurions express humility by saying they are not worthy for Jesus to come under their roof. Here, the stegē marks a boundary of honor, allowing respectful distance while maintaining intimacy. The roof was an extension of interior life, blurring private shelter and public space. This architectural reality helps us see how closely Jesus engaged with everyday people.
Understanding stegē invites us to appreciate the cultural context of Scripture. It reminds us that faith often involves breaking through barriers, just as the friends did in Mark 2. May this insight deepen your connection to the biblical world and encourage you in your own journey of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- roof3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στέγην3×
Key Verses
-
Mark 2:4
When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on.
The roof is physically removed to lower a paralyzed man, demonstrating its structural integrity and accessibility as a communal space.
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Matthew 8:8
The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
The centurion uses the roof as a metaphor for personal unworthiness, creating a respectful distance from Jesus.
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Luke 7:6
Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.
Similar to Matthew, the roof serves as a boundary marker of honor, allowing the centurion to request healing without direct intrusion.