"a scribe; a clerk, town-clerk, registrar, recorder, Acts 19:35; one skilled in the Jewish law, a teacher or interpreter of the law, Mt. 2:4; 5:20, et al. freq.; genr. a religious teacher, Mt. 13:52; by synec. any one distinguished for learning or wisdom, 1 Cor. 1:20"
Definition and meaning
a scribe; a clerk, town-clerk, registrar, recorder, Acts 19:35; one skilled in the Jewish law, a teacher or interpreter of the law, Mt. 2:4; 5:20, et al. freq.; genr. a religious teacher, Mt. 13:52; by synec. any one distinguished for learning or wisdom, 1 Cor. 1:20
In the original Greek the word is written: γραμματεύς
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 grammateus (G1122) across the King James Bible.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
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Common questions
Strong's G1122 (grammateus) is a Greek word that means: a scribe; a clerk, town-clerk, registrar, recorder, Acts 19:35; one skilled in the Jewish law, a teacher or interpreter of the law, Mt. 2:4; 5:20, et al. freq.; genr. a religious teacher, Mt. 13:52; b... It appears 67 times in the King James Bible.
The word grammateus (G1122) appears 67 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1122 is grammateus, a Greek word defined as: a scribe; a clerk, town-clerk, registrar, recorder, Acts 19:35; one skilled in the Jewish law, a teacher or interpreter of the law, Mt. 2:4; 5:20, et . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
grammateus is a Greek word found in the New Testament.