"unpunished; met. innocent, Mt. 27:4, 24*"
Definition and meaning
unpunished; met. innocent, Mt. 27:4, 24*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀθῷος
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 athoos (G121) across the King James Bible.
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
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Common questions
Strong's G121 (athoos) is a Greek word that means: unpunished; met. innocent, Mt. 27:4, 24* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word athoos (G121) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G121 is athoos, a Greek word defined as: unpunished; met. innocent, Mt. 27:4, 24*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
athoos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.