Bible Dictionary: Martyr

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Easton's Bible Dictionary

One who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated "witness."

(1.) In a court of justice (Matthew 18:16; 26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19).

(2.) As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as, Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

2. (n.) Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to sustain a cause.

3. (v. t.) To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp. Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession.

4. (v. t.) To persecute; to torment; to torture.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MARTYR

mar'-ter (martus, Aeolic martur): One who gives heed, and so, a "witness," so translated in numerous passages, both as of one bearing testimony, and also as of one who is a spectator of anything (see WITNESS). In the King James Version rendered "martyr" in Acts 22:20, "thy martyr Stephen"; and Revelation 2:13, "Antipas my faithful martyr"; also 17:6, "the blood of the martyrs of Jesus," where alone the American Standard Revised Version retains "martyrs." These 3 passages are the beginning of the use of the word "martyr" for such witnesses as were faithful even unto death, its uniform modern use.

Greek

4736. Stephanos -- "crown," Stephen, the first Christian martyr
... 4735, 4736. Stephanos. 4737 . "crown," Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Stephanos Phonetic Spelling: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4736.htm - 6k

3144. martus -- a witness
... martyr, witness. Of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or
figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr" -- martyr, record, witness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3144.htm - 6k

493. Antipas -- Antipas, a Christian of Pergamum
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Antipas Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee'-pas)
Short Definition: Antipas Definition: Antipas, a Christian martyr of Pergamum ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/493.htm - 6k

Library

Dialogue of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho
Dialogue of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho. <. Dialogue
of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho Justin Martyr. ...
/.../justin/dialogue of justin philosopher and martyr with trypho/

The Young Martyr
... THE YOUNG MARTYR. On the afternoon of August 9, 1853, a little Norwegian
boy, named Kund Iverson, who lived in the city of Chicago ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the young martyr.htm

Peter Martyr.
... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE FATHERS OF THE REFORMATION, FOUNDERS OF SECTS, AND
OF OTHER DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME. Peter Martyr. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/peter martyr.htm

The Martyr Adalbert in Prussia.
... THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF INDIVIDUAL MISSIONARIES. THE MARTYR ADALBERT IN PRUSSIA.
Adalbert was born of a noble family in Prague, in the year 956. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/the martyr adalbert in prussia.htm

On the Holy Martyr, S. Babylas.
... on the holy martyr, s. babylas. 1. I was anxious to-day to pay the debt which
I promised you when I was lately here. But what am I to do? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/on the holy martyr s.htm

A Martyr-Convert
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXXVI A MARTYR-CONVERT. The number of
Thine own complete, ... No preacher's vocal zeal,. Moved Thy dear Martyr to defy. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxxvi a martyr-convert.htm

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr The First Apology of Justin, the
Martyr. THE TEXT Plea for a Fair Hearing. 1. To the Emperor ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the first apology of justin.htm

The Blessedness of the Martyr.
... Book IV. Chapter VII."The Blessedness of the Martyr. ... And should you wish to be
a martyr for the recompense of advantages, you shall hear again. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii the blessedness of the.htm

The Life of St. George Martyr
... ST. GEORGE MARTYR. St. ... again. This blessed and holy martyr St. George is
patron of the realm of England and the cry of men of war. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st george.htm

The Story of Stephen, the First Martyr
... THE STORY OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR. In the New Testament, in the book
of Acts, you will learn how the members of the church in ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of stephen the.htm

Thesaurus

Martyr (2 Occurrences)
... One who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Acts
22:20; Revelation 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. ...
/m/martyr.htm - 9k

Triune
... HISTORICAL PRACTICE 1. The Jews 2. John the Baptist 3. The Didache 4. Justin Martyr
5. Tertullian 6. Eunomius 7. Greek Church LITERATURE I. Linguistic Basis. ...
/t/triune.htm - 13k

Trine
... HISTORICAL PRACTICE 1. The Jews 2. John the Baptist 3. The Didache 4. Justin Martyr
5. Tertullian 6. Eunomius 7. Greek Church LITERATURE I. Linguistic Basis. ...
/t/trine.htm - 14k

Immersion
... HISTORICAL PRACTICE 1. The Jews 2. John the Baptist 3. The Didache 4. Justin Martyr
5. Tertullian 6. Eunomius 7. Greek Church LITERATURE I. Linguistic Basis. ...
/i/immersion.htm - 14k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... Cain's offering had no such reference, and therefore was rejected. Abel was
the first martyr, as he was the first of our race to die. ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Antipas (1 Occurrence)
... 3). (2.) A "faithful martyr" (Revelation 2:13), of whom nothing more is
certainly known. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANTIPAS. ...
/a/antipas.htm - 8k

Deutero-canonical
... He was freely attested by Clement of Rome and Justin Martyr; James by Hermas and
probably by Clement of Rome; 2 John, 3 John and Jude by the Muratorian Fragment ...
/d/deutero-canonical.htm - 14k

Deuterocanonical
... He was freely attested by Clement of Rome and Justin Martyr; James by Hermas and
probably by Clement of Rome; 2 John, 3 John and Jude by the Muratorian Fragment ...
/d/deuterocanonical.htm - 14k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... In Acts 22:20 Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6 the word martus, "witness", seems
to be beginning to acquire the meaning of "martyr," as in the King James ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Stephen (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One of the seven deacons, who became a preacher
of the gospel. He was the first Christian martyr. His ...
/s/stephen.htm - 33k

Bible Concordance

Martyr (2 Occurrences)

Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
(KJV WBS NIV)

Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Related Terms

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Antipas (1 Occurrence)

Deutero-canonical

Deuterocanonical

Witness (295 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)