Lexical Summary basilikos: Royal, noble, belonging to a king Original Word: βασιλικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance king's, nobleman, royal. From basileus; regal (in relation), i.e. (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent -- king's, nobleman, royal. see GREEK basileus HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 937 basilikós – kingly (royal), befitting a king; kingly dignity, belonging to a king. See 932 (basileus). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom basileus Definition royal NASB Translation king's (1), royal (2), royal official (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 937: βασιλικόςβασιλικός, βασιλικῇ, βασιλικόν, of or belonging to a king, kingly, royal, regal; of a man, the officer or minister of a prince, a courtier: John 4:46, 49 (Polybius 4, 76, 2; Plutarch, Sol. 27; often in Josephus). subject to a king: of a country, Acts 12:20. befitting or worthy of a king, royal: ἐσθής, Acts 12:21. Hence, metaphorically, principal, chief: νόμος, James 2:8 (Plato, Min., p. 317 c. τό ὀρθόν νόμος ἐστι βασιλικός, Xenophon, symp. 1, 8 βασιλικόν κάλλος; 4 Macc. 14:2). STRONGS NT 937a: βασιλίσκος [βασιλίσκος, βασιλισκου, ὁ (diminutive of βασιλεύς), a petty king; a reading noted by WH in their (rejected) margin of John 4:46, 49. (Polybius, others.) The adjective βασιλικός (basilikos) carries the idea of something belonging to, issued by, or characteristic of a king. Its five New Testament appearances illuminate how the Holy Spirit employs regal imagery to point simultaneously to earthly authority and, ultimately, to the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Royal Identity in John 4:46 – 49 In Galilee “there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum” (John 4:46). Twice John identifies the man with βασιλικός, highlighting his direct connection to the Herodian court. Although accustomed to political power, the official discovers a greater sovereignty in Jesus, who heals his son from a distance. The passage showcases: Royal Provision and Pageantry in Acts 12:20 – 21 Luke uses βασιλικός twice in describing Herod Agrippa I: 1. Diplomatic leverage – “their country depended on the king’s country for food” (Acts 12:20). The term underscores the material reach of royal policy and sets the stage for Herod’s self-exaltation. The Royal Law in James 2:8 James exhorts believers: “If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” The command from Leviticus 19:18 is labeled βασιλικός because: Biblical Theology of Royalty Across the canon, βασιλικός accents the tension between earthly and heavenly rule: Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Evangelism: Earthly status is no barrier to saving faith; the royal official’s journey offers a paradigm for reaching those in positions of influence. Thus Strong’s 937 paints a unified portrait: genuine royalty is measured not by robes, courts, or commerce, but by submission to the King whose word heals, whose judgments stand, and whose law of love reigns forever. Englishman's Concordance John 4:46 Adj-NMSGRK: ἦν τις βασιλικὸς οὗ ὁ NAS: wine. And there was a royal official whose KJV: a certain nobleman, whose INT: there was a certain royal official whose John 4:49 Adj-NMS Acts 12:20 Adj-GFS Acts 12:21 Adj-AFS James 2:8 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 937 |
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