"one sent as a messenger or agent, the bearer of a commission, messenger, Jn. 13:16; an apostle, Mt. 10:2"
Definition and meaning
one sent as a messenger or agent, the bearer of a commission, messenger, Jn. 13:16; an apostle, Mt. 10:2
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀπόστολος
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 apostolos (G652) across the King James Bible.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
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Common questions
Strong's G652 (apostolos) is a Greek word that means: one sent as a messenger or agent, the bearer of a commission, messenger, Jn. 13:16; an apostle, Mt. 10:2 It appears 80 times in the King James Bible.
The word apostolos (G652) appears 80 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G652 is apostolos, a Greek word defined as: one sent as a messenger or agent, the bearer of a commission, messenger, Jn. 13:16; an apostle, Mt. 10:2. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apostolos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.