"Latin denarius, a Roman silver coin; the name originally meant ten asses, Mt. 18:28; Mk. 6:37; Rev. 6:6"
Definition and meaning
Latin denarius, a Roman silver coin; the name originally meant ten asses, Mt. 18:28; Mk. 6:37; Rev. 6:6
In the original Greek the word is written: δηνάριον
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 denarion (G1220) across the King James Bible.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
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Common questions
Strong's G1220 (denarion) is a Greek word that means: Latin denarius, a Roman silver coin; the name originally meant ten asses, Mt. 18:28; Mk. 6:37; Rev. 6:6 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word denarion (G1220) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1220 is denarion, a Greek word defined as: Latin denarius, a Roman silver coin; the name originally meant ten asses, Mt. 18:28; Mk. 6:37; Rev. 6:6. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
denarion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.