748. archieratikos

Lexical Summary

archieratikos: High priestly, pertaining to the high priest

Original Word: ἀρχιερατικός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: archieratikos
Pronunciation: ar-khee-er-at-ee-kos'
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-er-at-ee-kos')
KJV: of the high-priest
NASB: high-priestly
Word Origin: [from G746 (ἀρχή - beginning) and a derivative of G2413 (ἱερός - temple)]

1. high-priestly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

of the high priest.

From arche and a derivative of hieros; high-priestly -- of the high-priest.

see GREEK arche

see GREEK hieros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from archiereus
Definition
high-priestly
NASB Translation
high-priestly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 748: ἀρχιερατικός

ἀρχιερατικός, ἀρχιερατικη, ἀρχιερατικον (ἀρχι and ἱερατικός, and this from ἱεράομαι (to be a priest)), high priestly, pontifical: γένος, Acts 4:6 (so Corp. Inscriptions Graec. no. 4363; see Schürer as cited under the word ἀρχιερεύς, 2 at the end). (Josephus, Antiquities 4, 4, 7; 6, 6, 3; 15, 3, 1.)

Topical Lexicon

Scope and Basic Sense

Strong’s Greek 748 (archieratikos) is an adjective meaning “belonging to the high priest” or “high-priestly.” Its single New Testament appearance, Acts 4:6, uses the word to describe the extended family circle of Israel’s chief religious officer. By extension the term speaks to the power structure tied to the high priesthood during the apostolic era.

Usage in Scripture

Acts 4:6: “including Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high priest’s family.”

The word identifies an influential clan, not merely one individual. Luke stresses that Peter and John faced the consolidated authority of those whose lineage, prestige, and political connections stemmed from the Aaronic office.

Historical and Social Background

1. Hereditary Prestige. From Exodus 28 onward, the high priesthood was rooted in Aaron’s line. By the first century, the role remained hereditary in theory yet was subject to Roman appointment and dismissal, creating a cadre of former high priests and relatives who still wielded great authority.
2. Sadducean Control. Most high-priestly families adhered to Sadducean theology, marked by denial of bodily resurrection (Acts 23:8). Their confrontation with the apostles—witnesses of Christ’s resurrection—exposed a deep theological breach.
3. Political Influence. Annas (high priest AD 6–15) retained unofficial dominance even after removal from office. Caiaphas (AD 18–36), Annas’s son-in-law, served during Jesus’ trial. “John” is widely taken as Jonathan, another son of Annas who briefly held the office (AD 36–37). Alexander is otherwise unknown, yet the text groups him with the same elite. The adjective archieratikos captures the collective sway these men held over temple finances, legal judgments, and collaboration with Rome.

Role in the Acts Narrative

The high-priestly family personifies institutional resistance to the gospel:
• They convene the Sanhedrin to silence the apostles (Acts 4:7–17).
• Their question, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (4:7), contrasts with the apostolic proclamation, “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead” (4:10).

The collision between archieratikos authority and apostolic witness foregrounds the transition from the Mosaic order to the new covenant.

Theological Significance

1. Temporary Shadow. The Aaronic high priesthood foreshadowed a greater reality. Day-of-Atonement rituals (Leviticus 16) pointed to a final, sufficient sacrifice.
2. Christ’s Supersession. Hebrews 4:14 presents Jesus as “a great high priest who has passed through the heavens.” He is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). The once-for-all sacrifice of the Messiah renders the continuing sacrifices overseen by the archieratikos hierarchy obsolete (Hebrews 10:11–14).
3. Priesthood of Believers. While Jesus alone is the mediatorial High Priest, His atoning work establishes believers as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). The church thereby enjoys direct access to God apart from any hereditary caste.

Practical Ministry Reflections

• Courage before Religious Power. Peter’s boldness before the archieratikos class encourages believers to witness fearlessly, trusting the Spirit rather than human credentials (Acts 4:8).
• Discernment of Institutional Authority. Not all religious authority aligns with God’s purposes; fidelity to Scripture must govern responses to ecclesiastical structures.
• Christ-Centered Confidence. Assurance rests in the enthroned High Priest, not in lineage, titles, or earthly influence.

Related Concepts and Texts

• archiereus (high priest, Hebrews 5:1) – the noun from which archieratikos derives.
• “Chief priests” regularly appear with scribes and elders opposing Jesus (Matthew 26:3; John 18:13).
• Fulfillment imagery: Hebrews 2:17; 9:11–12; 10:19–22.

Summary

Archieratikos, though occurring only once, illuminates the power dynamics of first-century Judaism, underscores the clash between old covenant authority and the risen Christ, and invites the church to rest in the eternal High Priest whose atonement renders earthly succession of high priests unnecessary.

Forms and Transliterations

αρχιερατικου αρχιερατικού ἀρχιερατικοῦ archieratikou archieratikoû

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 4:6 Adj-GNS
GRK: ἐκ γένους ἀρχιερατικοῦ
NAS: and all who were of high-priestly descent.
KJV: the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together
INT: of descent high priestly

Strong's Greek 748
1 Occurrence

ἀρχιερατικοῦ — 1 Occ.