στρατηγός (stratēgos)
stratēgos
officer/magistrate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun strategos refers to a high-ranking official, translating concepts of military command or civic governance. In the New Testament, it appears ten times, primarily in Luke and Acts, where it denotes leaders with significant authority rather than ordinary soldiers. The term captures the essence of a commander who leads troops or administers justice within a community.
Its usage shifts between two distinct spheres: military leadership and civil magistracy. In Acts 16, Roman officials in Philippi are called strategoi, reflecting their role as chief magistrates in a colony. Conversely, in the Gospel of Luke and Acts, the phrase "captain of the temple" describes the commander of the Levitical guard responsible for security around the sacred precincts.
This dual nature highlights the word’s flexibility in describing authority figures who wield power over people or places. Translators often render it as "commander" or "magistrate," depending on whether the context is martial or judicial. The sources note a close relationship with archon, though strategos typically implies a higher or more specific rank of leadership.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word translated as "captain" or "magistrate" points to individuals holding significant authority in the first century. In Luke and Acts, we see these figures leading temple guards or serving as civic judges in cities like Philippi. They represent the structures of power that often stood opposed to the early followers of Jesus.
For your faith, this reminds us that spiritual truth does not always align with earthly status. Even those with the power to arrest or punish were confronted by the quiet authority of Christ and His apostles. It encourages believers that no human office is beyond the reach of God's purposes.
When you face opposition or feel overwhelmed by institutional pressure, remember that these leaders eventually yielded or stood perplexed before the Gospel. Your trust rests not in the approval of those in charge, but in the one who holds all authority.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- magistrates4×
- captains3×
- captain3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στρατηγὸς3×
- στρατηγοῖς3×
- στρατηγοὶ3×
- στρατηγοὺς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:20
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
This verse shows the term applied to Roman magistrates who viewed the apostles as a threat to civic order, highlighting the clash between spiritual mission and political stability.
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Luke 22:52
Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
Jesus addresses the temple captains directly, challenging their violent approach by contrasting it with His peaceful submission to God's will.
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Acts 16:38
The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
The magistrates' fear upon learning the apostles were Romans reveals how legal status could temporarily shield the Gospel from unjust persecution.