"a prison, Mt. 11:2; Acts 5:21, 23; 16:26*"
Definition and meaning
a prison, Mt. 11:2; Acts 5:21, 23; 16:26*
In the original Greek the word is written: δεσμωτήριον
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 desmoterion (G1201) across the King James Bible.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
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Common questions
Strong's G1201 (desmoterion) is a Greek word that means: a prison, Mt. 11:2; Acts 5:21, 23; 16:26* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word desmoterion (G1201) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1201 is desmoterion, a Greek word defined as: a prison, Mt. 11:2; Acts 5:21, 23; 16:26*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
desmoterion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.