στολή (stolē)
stolē
robe
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word stolē refers to a full-length outer garment, distinct from everyday underclothing. It denotes a robe of significance, typically worn by individuals of high status such as kings, priests, or persons of rank. In the New Testament, this term appears in key moments that highlight dignity and authority, including Jesus’ warning against those who love to walk in long robes (Mark 12:38) and the vision of the great multitude in Revelation wearing white robes (Revelation 7:9).
Its usage carries strong theological weight, particularly in Luke’s parable of the prodigal son. There, the father commands that the best robe be put on his returning son (Luke 15:22), symbolizing restored honor and familial acceptance rather than mere clothing. The word also appears in Revelation describing those who have washed their robes, connecting the garment to spiritual purity and eternal life (Revelation 22:14).
Etymologically linked to the idea of fastening or arranging, stolē implies a deliberate dressing for a specific purpose or occasion. Unlike common garments, it suggests an equipment of identity, marking the wearer as set apart. This distinction helps explain why biblical authors choose this term when describing divine glory, royal dignity, or the righteous state of believers in the age to come.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word stolē points to a full-length outer garment, distinct from everyday underclothing. It denotes a robe of significance, typically worn by individuals of high status such as kings, priests, or persons of rank. In the New Testament, this term appears in key moments that highlight dignity and authority, including Jesus’ warning against those who love to walk in long robes (Mark 12:38) and the vision of the great multitude in Revelation wearing white robes (Revelation 7:9).
Its usage carries strong theological weight, particularly in Luke’s parable of the prodigal son. There, the father commands that the best robe be put on his returning son (Luke 15:22), symbolizing restored honor and familial acceptance rather than mere clothing. The word also appears in Revelation describing those who have washed their robes, connecting the garment to spiritual purity and eternal life (Revelation 22:14).
Etymologically linked to the idea of fastening or arranging, stolē implies a deliberate dressing for a specific purpose or occasion. Unlike common garments, it suggests an equipment of identity, marking the wearer as set apart. This distinction helps explain why biblical authors choose this term when describing divine glory, royal dignity, or the righteous state of believers in the age to come.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- robes6×
- a robe2×
- robe1×
- long robes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στολὰς5×
- στολὴν2×
- στολαῖς2×
- στολὴ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 15:22
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
The father’s command to put on the best robe signifies the son’s immediate restoration to full familial honor and status, replacing shame with dignity.
-
Revelation of John 7:9
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
The white robes worn by the innumerable multitude visually represent the purified state of believers who have endured suffering through the Lamb’s blood.
-
Mark 12:38
In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
Jesus warns against scribes who use long robes as a status symbol to attract public respect, contrasting external display with true spiritual humility.
-
Revelation of John 22:14
Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
Having washed their robes grants believers the right to access the tree of life and enter the holy city, linking purity with eternal inheritance.