"a lord, master, especially of slaves, 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 2 Tim. 2:21; Tit. 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18; by impl. as denoting the possession of supreme authority, Lord, sovereign, used of God, Lk. 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; and of Christ, 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4"
Definition and meaning
a lord, master, especially of slaves, 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 2 Tim. 2:21; Tit. 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18; by impl. as denoting the possession of supreme authority, Lord, sovereign, used of God, Lk. 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; and of Christ, 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4
In the original Greek the word is written: δεσπότης
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 despotes (G1203) across the King James Bible.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
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Common questions
Strong's G1203 (despotes) is a Greek word that means: a lord, master, especially of slaves, 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 2 Tim. 2:21; Tit. 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18; by impl. as denoting the possession of supreme authority, Lord, sovereign, used of God, Lk. 2:29; Acts 4:24; Re... It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word despotes (G1203) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1203 is despotes, a Greek word defined as: a lord, master, especially of slaves, 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 2 Tim. 2:21; Tit. 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18; by impl. as denoting the possession of supreme authority, Lor. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
despotes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.