ὑπηρέτης (hupēretēs)
hupēretēs
servant
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hupēretēs literally means an "under rower," referring to the subordinate crew members who pulled the oars beneath the main deck of ancient warships. This maritime origin gives the term a sense of hard, physical labor and strict subordination to those in command. In the New Testament, it appears twenty times, often translated as "servant" or "officer," but it carries the weight of someone who executes the will of a superior with precision.
Its usage spans several distinct roles in Scripture. It describes the temple attendants who handled the ark (Luke 1:2) and the synagogue officers who assisted in reading the law (Luke 4:20). Most notably, it refers to the police or guards sent to arrest Jesus (John 7:32, 45; 18:3, 12). When these men return empty-handed, they report that no one spoke like this man, highlighting their role as agents of authority who were nonetheless overwhelmed by His presence.
The term also appears in Paul’s letters to describe Christian ministers. In 1 Corinthians 4:1, he calls himself and Apollos "servants of Christ" (hupēretas Christou), using the image of rowers working together under a single captain. This distinguishes them from leaders who rule over others; instead, they are assistants whose primary task is to support the gospel message through diligent, often unseen, effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hupēretēs originally described the rowers beneath the deck of ancient warships. These men worked in strict subordination, pulling hard to execute the captain’s orders without seeing the destination themselves. In Scripture, this image reminds us that faithful service often involves diligent, unseen effort behind the scenes.
When Jesus spoke of His kingdom not being of this world, He distinguished His servants from those who fight with worldly power. Instead, they are called to support the gospel message through quiet obedience. Whether in a synagogue or before a judge, the role remains the same: to assist and execute the will of a superior with precision.
This perspective offers comfort when our work feels unnoticed. We serve not for applause but as stewards of God’s mysteries. Your faithful labor, even when hidden from view, contributes to a greater purpose under Christ’s command.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- officers9×
- servants2×
- officers;1×
- officers,1×
- officer,1×
- guards1×
- attendants1×
- attendant1×
- a servant1×
- a helper.1×
- [the] officers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπηρέται7×
- ὑπηρέτας3×
- ὑπηρετῶν3×
- ὑπηρέτῃ,1×
- ὑπηρέτῃ1×
- ὑπηρέτην.¶1×
- ὑπηρέτην1×
- ὑπηρέταις1×
- ὑπηρέται·1×
- ὑπηρέται,1×
Key Verses
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John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
Jesus uses this term to define the nature of His kingdom servants as those who do not fight with worldly force.
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I Corinthians 4:1
So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries.
Paul identifies himself and Apollos as Christ’s hupēretēs, emphasizing their role as assistants and stewards rather than rulers.
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John 7:46
The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
The officers return empty-handed because they were overwhelmed by Jesus’ authority, showing the limits of human enforcement against divine presence.
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Luke 1:2
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
The term describes those who delivered the eyewitness accounts, highlighting their role in preserving and transmitting the gospel message.