"(1) pr. (act.) to be first; to rule, Mk. 10:42; Rom. 15:12 (2) mid. to begin, Mt. 4:17; to take commencement, Lk. 24:27; 1 Pet. 4:17"
Definition and meaning
(1) pr. (act.) to be first; to rule, Mk. 10:42; Rom. 15:12 (2) mid. to begin, Mt. 4:17; to take commencement, Lk. 24:27; 1 Pet. 4:17
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄρχω
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 archo (G756) across the King James Bible.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
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Common questions
Strong's G756 (archo) is a Greek word that means: (1) pr. (act.) to be first; to rule, Mk. 10:42; Rom. 15:12 (2) mid. to begin, Mt. 4:17; to take commencement, Lk. 24:27; 1 Pet. 4:17 It appears 84 times in the King James Bible.
The word archo (G756) appears 84 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G756 is archo, a Greek word defined as: (1) pr. (act.) to be first; to rule, Mk. 10:42; Rom. 15:12 (2) mid. to begin, Mt. 4:17; to take commencement, Lk. 24:27; 1 Pet. 4:17. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
archo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.