Lexical Summary stegé: Roof, covering Original Word: στέγη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roof. Strengthened from a primary tegos (a "thatch" or "deck" of a building); a roof -- roof. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom stegó Definition a roof NASB Translation roof (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4721: στέγηστέγη, στεγης, ἡ (στέγω to cover), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, a roof: of a house, Mark 2:4; ἐισέρχεσθαι ὑπό τήν στέγην τίνος (see εἰσέρχομαι, 1, p. 187{b} bottom), Matthew 8:8; Luke 7:6. Topical Lexicon Physical and Architectural SettingFirst-century homes in Galilee and Judea were commonly single-story structures with flat, mud-plastered roofs supported by wooden beams and reachable by an exterior stairway. The roof served as living space, storage, and place of prayer, but it could also be dismantled quickly—background that illuminates every New Testament use of Strong’s 4721. Occurrences in the Gospels Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6 recount the centurion of Capernaum who declares, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof”, while Mark 2:4 records friends of a paralytic who “uncovered the roof above Jesus” to lower him for healing. These three verses form the complete New Testament record of the term. Symbolism of Shelter and Divine Presence Scripture often portrays covering as protection from judgment (Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 4:5-6). The household roof thus becomes a theological symbol. By pleading unworthiness for Jesus to enter his roof, the centurion tacitly acknowledges that true sanctity dwells not in buildings but in the person of Christ, the ultimate refuge for Jew and Gentile alike. Hospitality, Authority, and Humility The centurion episode links physical shelter with spiritual authority. In submitting his domestic authority to Jesus by remaining outside his own roof, he confesses Christ as the greater Lord. His statement models godly hospitality: a home is most hospitable when its owner yields sovereignty to the Savior who sanctifies the space. Faith Expressed Through Action Mark 2:4 turns a roof from a barrier into a conduit of grace. The crowd blocks the doorway; determined faith finds another way. By breaking through the ceiling and lowering their friend, the men embody intercession that will not be deterred until the needy are placed before Jesus. Their persistence exemplifies the church’s calling to carry the helpless to the only One who forgives and heals. Christological Implications Both narratives spotlight Jesus’ authority over physical boundaries. He heals the centurion’s servant without crossing the threshold, and He forgives and restores the paralytic beneath a ruptured roof. Whether distance or obstacle, the roof underscores that no human structure limits His lordship: “just say the word” is enough (Matthew 8:8). Intertextual Echoes The torn roof of Mark 2 anticipates the rending of the heavens at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:10) and the veil of the temple (Matthew 27:51). Each rupture signals divine initiative—God breaking through separation to meet humanity. Likewise, the centurion’s roof prefigures Gentile inclusion under the gospel’s shelter (Acts 10:28). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Open homes as arenas of discipleship and compassion, confident that Christ’s presence sanctifies ordinary spaces. Summary Strong’s 4721 appears only three times, yet each context transforms an everyday roof into a stage for profound theological realities: humble faith, relentless intercession, and the boundless authority of Christ. Thus a simple covering becomes a witness that the Son of God still shelters, heals, and saves all who come to Him. Forms and Transliterations στέγας στεγην στέγην στεγναί stegen stegēn stégen stégēnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 8:8 N-AFSGRK: ὑπὸ τὴν στέγην εἰσέλθῃς ἀλλὰ NAS: under my roof, but just KJV: under my roof: but speak INT: under the roof you should come but Mark 2:4 N-AFS Luke 7:6 N-AFS |
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