◄ 4716. stauros ►
Lexicon stauros: Cross Original Word: σταυρός Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stauros Pronunciation: stow-ros' Phonetic Spelling: (stow-ros') Definition: Cross Meaning: a cross. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cross. From the base of histemi; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. Self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ -- cross. see GREEK histemi HELPS Word-studies 4716 staurós – the crosspiece of a Roman cross; the cross-beam (Latin, patibulum) placed at the top of the vertical member to form a capital "T." "This transverse beam was the one carried by the criminal" (Souter). Christ was crucified on a literal Roman cross (4716 /staurós). 4716 /staurós ("cross") is also used figuratively for the cross (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower-of-Christ (Mt 10:38, 16:24, etc.). The cross represents unspeakable pain, humiliation and suffering – and ironically is also the symbol of infinite love! At the cross, Jesus won our salvation – which is free but certainly not cheap! For more discussion on the untold suffering of Christ on the cross see 4717 /stauróō ("to crucify on a cross"). [The "cross" (Mk 8:34) is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true – even when attacked by the ungodly.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from the same as histémi Definition an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. instrument of crucifixion) NASB Translation cross (27). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4716: σταυρός σταυρός, σταυροῦ, ὁ (from ἵστημι (root sta); cf. Latinstauro, English staff (see Skeat, Etymological Dictionary, under the word); Curtius, § 216; Vanicek, p. 1126); 1. an upright stake, especially a pointed one (Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon). 2. a cross; a. the well-known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves; cf. Winers RWB, under the word Kreuzigung; Merz in Herzog edition 1 ((cf. Schaff-Herzog) also Schultze in Herzog edition 2), under the word Kreuz; Keim, iii., p. 409ff. (English translation, vi. 138; BB. DD., see under the words, Cross, Crucifixion; O. Zöckler, Das Kreuz Christi (Gütersloh, 1875); English translation, Lond. 1878; Fulda, Das Kreuz u. d. Kreuzigung (Bresl. 1878); Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, ii. 582ff). This horrible punishment the innocent Jesus also suffered: Matthew 27:32, 40, 42; Mark 15:21, 30, 32; Luke 23:26; John 19:17, 19, 25, 31; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 12:2; θάνατος σταυροῦ, Philippians 2:8; τό αἷμα τοῦ σταυροῦ, blood shed on the cross; Colossians 1:20. b. equivalent to the crucifixion which Christ underwent: Galatians 5:11 (on which see σκάνδαλον, under the end); Ephesians 2:16; with the addition of τοῦ Χριστοῦ, 1 Corinthians 1:17; the saving power of his crucifixion, Philippians 3:18 (on which see ἐχθρός, at the end); Galatians 6:14; τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκεσθαι, to encounter persecution on account of one's avowed belief in the saving efficacy of Christ's crucifixion, Galatians 6:12; ὁ λόγος ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ, the doctrine concerning the saving power of the death on the cross endured by Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:18. The judicial usage which compelled those condemned to crucifixion themselves to carry the cross to the place of punishment (Plutarch, de sara numinis vindict. c. 9; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 56, cf. John 19:17), gave rise to the proverbial expression αἴρειν or λαμβάνειν or βαστάζειν τόν σταυρόν αὐτοῦ, which was usually used by those who, on behalf of God's cause, do not hesitate cheerfully and manfully to bear persecutions, troubles, distresses — thus recalling the fate of Christ and the spirit in which he encountered it (cf. Bleek, Synop. Erkl. der drei ersten Evangg. i, p. 439f): Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21 (R L in brackets); ; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27. Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from the base of the Greek verb ἵστημι (histēmi), meaning "to stand" or "to set up." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for σταυρός, the concept of a wooden structure used for execution can be related to the Hebrew word עֵץ (ets, Strong's Hebrew 6086), meaning "tree" or "wood," as seen in Deuteronomy 21:22-23, which discusses hanging on a tree as a form of execution. Usage: The term σταυρός is used in the New Testament to denote the cross, an instrument of execution and a symbol of the Christian faith. It appears in contexts discussing the crucifixion of Jesus and the call for believers to take up their own cross in discipleship. Context: The term σταυρός in the New Testament primarily refers to the cross of Jesus Christ, a central symbol of the Christian faith. Historically, a σταυρός was a wooden structure used by the Romans for executing criminals. It consisted of an upright post and a crossbeam, where the condemned were nailed or bound. In the Gospels, the σταυρός is the instrument of Jesus' crucifixion, a pivotal event in Christian theology. For instance, in Matthew 27:32 (BSB), Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry Jesus' cross: "As they were going out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross." The cross signifies the sacrificial death of Jesus, which Christians believe atones for sin and reconciles humanity with God. Beyond its historical and physical aspects, the σταυρός carries profound theological significance. It represents the call to discipleship and self-denial, as seen in Matthew 16:24 (BSB): "Then Jesus told His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.'" Here, the cross symbolizes the willingness to endure suffering and persecution for the sake of following Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term to emphasize the transformative power of the crucifixion. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 (BSB), he writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The cross, therefore, is not only a historical event but also a source of spiritual strength and salvation. Forms and Transliterations σταυρον σταυρόν σταυρὸν σταυρος σταυρός σταυρὸς σταυρου σταυρού σταυροῦ σταυρω σταυρώ σταυρῷ stauro staurō staurôi staurō̂i stauron stauròn stauros stauròs staurou stauroû Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:38 N-AMS GRK: λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: does not take his cross and follow KJV: not his cross, and followeth INT: takes the cross of him and Matthew 16:24 N-AMS GRK: ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: and take up his cross and follow KJV: take up his cross, and follow INT: let him take up the cross of him and Matthew 27:32 N-AMS GRK: ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ NAS: to bear His cross. KJV: bear his cross. INT: he might carry the cross of him Matthew 27:40 N-GMS GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ NAS: of God, come down from the cross. KJV: come down from the cross. INT: from the cross Matthew 27:42 N-GMS GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ καὶ πιστεύσομεν NAS: come down from the cross, and we will believe KJV: from the cross, and INT: from the cross and we will believe Mark 8:34 N-AMS GRK: ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: and take up his cross and follow KJV: take up his cross, and follow INT: let him take up the cross of him and Mark 15:21 N-AMS GRK: ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ NAS: and Rufus), to bear His cross. KJV: bear his cross. INT: he might carry the cross of him Mark 15:30 N-GMS GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ NAS: and come down from the cross! KJV: come down from the cross. INT: from the cross Mark 15:32 N-GMS GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ ἵνα ἴδωμεν NAS: come down from the cross, so KJV: now from the cross, that we may see INT: from the cross that we might see Luke 9:23 N-AMS GRK: ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καθ' NAS: and take up his cross daily KJV: take up his cross daily, and INT: let him take up the cross of him every Luke 14:27 N-AMS GRK: βαστάζει τὸν σταυρὸν ἑαυτοῦ καὶ NAS: his own cross and come KJV: bear his cross, and come INT: carries the cross of themselves and Luke 23:26 N-AMS GRK: αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν φέρειν ὄπισθεν NAS: and placed on him the cross to carry KJV: they laid the cross, that he might bear INT: him the cross to carry [it] behind John 19:17 N-AMS GRK: ἑαυτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν ἐξῆλθεν εἰς NAS: His own cross, to the place called KJV: he bearing his cross went forth into INT: [his] own cross he went out to John 19:19 N-GMS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ ἦν δὲ NAS: and put it on the cross. It was written, KJV: put [it] on the cross. And the writing INT: on the cross it was moreover John 19:25 N-DMS GRK: παρὰ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ NAS: But standing by the cross of Jesus KJV: there stood by the cross of Jesus his INT: by the cross of Jesus John 19:31 N-GMS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα NAS: would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath KJV: upon the cross on INT: on the cross the bodies 1 Corinthians 1:17 N-NMS GRK: κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ χριστοῦ NAS: so that the cross of Christ KJV: lest the cross of Christ INT: be emptied of power the cross of the Christ 1 Corinthians 1:18 N-GMS GRK: ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν NAS: For the word of the cross is foolishness KJV: the preaching of the cross is INT: of the cross to those indeed Galatians 5:11 N-GMS GRK: σκάνδαλον τοῦ σταυροῦ NAS: the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. KJV: is the offence of the cross ceased. INT: offense of the cross Galatians 6:12 N-DMS GRK: ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ χριστοῦ NAS: that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. KJV: they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. INT: that for the cross of Christ Galatians 6:14 N-DMS GRK: ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου NAS: except in the cross of our Lord KJV: save in the cross of our Lord INT: in the cross of the Lord Ephesians 2:16 N-GMS GRK: διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ ἀποκτείνας τὴν NAS: through the cross, by it having put to death KJV: by the cross, having slain INT: through the cross having slain the Philippians 2:8 N-GMS GRK: θανάτου δὲ σταυροῦ NAS: even death on a cross. KJV: even the death of the cross. INT: of death moreover of [the] cross Philippians 3:18 N-GMS GRK: ἐχθροὺς τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ χριστοῦ NAS: [that they are] enemies of the cross of Christ, KJV: [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: INT: enemies of the cross of Christ Colossians 1:20 N-GMS GRK: αἵματος τοῦ σταυροῦ αὐτοῦ δι' NAS: the blood of His cross; through KJV: the blood of his cross, by him INT: blood of the cross of him by Strong's Greek 4716 27 Occurrences σταυρῷ — 4 Occ. σταυρὸν — 10 Occ. σταυρὸς — 1 Occ. σταυροῦ — 12 Occ.