τέκτων (tektōn)
tektōn
craftsman
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tekton refers to a craftsman or artisan who works with materials such as wood, stone, or metal. While often translated simply as "carpenter," the term is broader, encompassing any skilled worker in construction or fabrication. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times identifying Jesus by this trade in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.
Its usage highlights the humble, manual nature of Jesus’ early life. By calling him a tekton, the Gospels emphasize his participation in ordinary, physical labor rather than a position of elite status. This concrete detail grounds the incarnation in real human experience, showing that divine wisdom was present within the context of everyday work and community life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tekton describes a skilled craftsman who shapes wood, stone, or metal. In the Gospels, this term identifies Jesus as a worker in Nazareth. It shows that divine wisdom walked among ordinary labor and community life. His hands knew the weight of tools and the patience of building.
This detail grounds your faith in real human experience. You do not need elite status to serve God. Daily work becomes sacred when offered with care. The incarnation affirms that physical effort matters deeply.
May you find peace in your own tasks today. Let your hands work with the same quiet dignity as Jesus did in Nazareth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- carpenter,1×
- carpenter1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τέκτων,1×
- τέκτονος1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:55
Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
This verse uses tekton to identify Jesus’ earthly family, grounding his identity in ordinary community life rather than royal lineage.
-
Mark 6:3
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him.
Here the term highlights how neighbors were offended by a skilled worker claiming spiritual authority, showing the tension between humble origins and divine mission.