What Does chortos (χόρτος) Mean in the Bible?

Word Overview

The noun chortos refers to grass or herbage, specifically as food for animals or the place where it grows. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, often in contexts involving natural settings or agricultural imagery. Matthew uses it to describe scenes like Jesus feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:19) and the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:26), grounding these stories in tangible, rural reality.

Its meaning extends beyond mere vegetation to include green pasture or hay. Mark notes that Jesus sat on "green grass" (Mark 6:39), emphasizing the freshness and vitality of the scene. In Revelation, it describes grass that is not harmed during judgment (Revelation 9:4), highlighting its role as a symbol of life and sustenance in apocalyptic visions.

Translators typically render chortos as "grass," though the context sometimes clarifies whether it refers to the plant itself or its function as fodder. The word carries no inherent theological weight but serves as a concrete detail that enriches biblical narratives, reminding readers of the physical world in which these events unfold.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

When Jesus spoke to crowds sitting on the grass, He did not just describe a picnic spot; He pointed to the quiet reliability of God’s daily care. In Matthew 6:30 and Luke 12:28, this simple plant illustrates how God clothes even the fleeting vegetation of the field. If the Creator tends to such temporary greenery, we can trust that He attends to our needs with equal attention.

This word reminds us that life is grounded in physical reality. Whether it is the fresh pasture in Mark 6:39 or the grass spared in Revelation 9:4, these details anchor spiritual truths in a tangible world. We are invited to rest in the provision of a God who sustains both the grain and the grass.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.

grass5×

grass,3×

plants1×

of grass;1×

of grass1×

hay,1×

grass.1×

a plant1×

[the] grass1×

Forms in the text

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

χόρτον5×

χόρτος3×

χόρτος,2×

χόρτῳ.1×

χόρτου·1×

χόρτου,1×

χόρτου1×

χόρτον,1×

Key Verses

Matthew 6:30

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

Jesus uses the temporary nature of field grass to illustrate God's faithful care for human needs.

Mark 6:39

He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.

The mention of green grass provides a concrete setting for the miracle of the feeding, showing Jesus' attention to comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Greek word chortos mean?

Chortos refers to grass, herbage, or fodder. It describes the vegetation that feeds animals and covers the ground in biblical times.

Why is grass mentioned in the feeding miracles?

In Matthew 14:19 and John 6:10, grass provides a specific location for the crowds to sit. This detail grounds the miracle in a real, physical setting.

Does chortos have a deep theological meaning?

The word itself is descriptive rather than doctrinal. It serves as a concrete image to help readers visualize scenes of provision and judgment.

Every Occurrence (13 verses across 8 books)