"one bound, a prisoner, Mt. 27:15, 16; Mk. 15:6"
Definition and meaning
one bound, a prisoner, Mt. 27:15, 16; Mk. 15:6
In the original Greek the word is written: δέσμιος
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 desmios (G1198) across the King James Bible.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
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Common questions
Strong's G1198 (desmios) is a Greek word that means: one bound, a prisoner, Mt. 27:15, 16; Mk. 15:6 It appears 16 times in the King James Bible.
The word desmios (G1198) appears 16 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1198 is desmios, a Greek word defined as: one bound, a prisoner, Mt. 27:15, 16; Mk. 15:6. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
desmios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.