"cause, motive, incitement; accusation, crime, case"
Definition and meaning
cause, motive, incitement; accusation, crime, case
In the original Greek the word is written: αἰτία
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of aitia (G156) across the King James Bible.
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
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Common questions
Strong's G156 (aitia) is a Greek word that means: cause, motive, incitement; accusation, crime, case It appears 17 times in the King James Bible.
The word aitia (G156) appears 17 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G156 is aitia, a Greek word defined as: cause, motive, incitement; accusation, crime, case. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
aitia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.