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φυλακτήριος (phulaktērios)

phulaktērios

guard

G5441 · Greek · New Testament · 3 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective phulaktērios describes something related to a guard or prison, deriving its meaning from the noun phulax, which means a watchman or keeper. In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, all within the book of Acts, where it functions as a descriptor for places or conditions associated with confinement.

Its usage highlights the physical reality of imprisonment rather than just the legal status. For instance, in Acts 5:23, the guards report that the prison was securely locked, emphasizing the impossibility of escape without divine intervention. Similarly, Acts 12:6 and 19 use the term to describe the inner prison or the act of being kept under guard, underscoring the severity of Peter’s situation before his miraculous release.

This specific lexical choice reinforces the narrative theme that human security measures are insufficient against God’s power. The word points to the tangible barriers—guards, locked doors, and chains—that surround the apostles, setting the stage for accounts where these obstacles are overcome not by force, but by supernatural intervention.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word φυλακτὴριος describes a place of strict confinement, where guards stand watch and doors are locked tight. In Acts, this term highlights the heavy weight of human restriction. It reminds us that there are situations in life that feel completely sealed off, with no visible way out.

Yet these accounts show that physical barriers cannot contain God’s purposes. When the apostles were held in such places, their freedom came not from breaking chains, but from divine intervention. This offers hope when you face circumstances that seem impossible to change.

You do not need to find your own way out of every difficult situation. Trusting in God’s power means believing that He can open doors that no human guard can keep shut. His presence brings peace even when the surroundings feel restrictive.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • guards3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • φύλακας2×
  • φύλακές1×

Key Verses

  • Acts 5:23
    “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

    This verse shows the guards reporting an impossible situation where a locked prison was found empty, highlighting divine intervention.

  • Acts 12:6
    The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

    Here the term describes the inner prison where Peter slept bound by chains, emphasizing the severity of his confinement before release.

  • Acts 12:19
    When Herod had sought for him and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, then commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

    This occurrence underscores the human effort to maintain security through guards, which ultimately failed to prevent Peter's escape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does φυλακτὴριος mean in the New Testament?

It is an adjective meaning 'of a guard' or 'pertaining to confinement.' It describes places or conditions involving strict detention, such as prisons guarded by soldiers.

Why does this word appear only in Acts?

The term appears exclusively in the Book of Acts to describe specific historical events where apostles were imprisoned. These accounts emphasize God's power to free believers from physical restrictions.

How is this word different from a general prison?

While other words refer to the building itself, φυλακτὴριος focuses on the aspect of being guarded or kept under watch. It highlights the presence of guards and the security measures in place.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Acts 3 verses
Acts 5:23

“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no…

Acts 12:6

The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.…

Acts 12:19

When Herod had sought for him and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, then commanded that they should be put to…