"pr. an under-rower, a rower, one of a ship’s crew; a minister, attendant, servant; an attendant on a magistrate, officer, Mt. 5:25; an attendant or officer of the Sanhedrin, Mt. 26:58; an attendant, or servant of a synagogue, Lk. 4:20; a minister, attendant, assistant in any work..."
Definition and meaning
pr. an under-rower, a rower, one of a ship’s crew; a minister, attendant, servant; an attendant on a magistrate, officer, Mt. 5:25; an attendant or officer of the Sanhedrin, Mt. 26:58; an attendant, or servant of a synagogue, Lk. 4:20; a minister, attendant, assistant in any work, Lk. 1:2; Jn. 18:36
In the original Greek the word is written: ὑπηρέτης
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 hyperetes (G5257) across the King James Bible.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
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Common questions
Strong's G5257 (hyperetes) is a Greek word that means: pr. an under-rower, a rower, one of a ship’s crew; a minister, attendant, servant; an attendant on a magistrate, officer, Mt. 5:25; an attendant or officer of the Sanhedrin, Mt. 26:58; an attendant, o... It appears 20 times in the King James Bible.
The word hyperetes (G5257) appears 20 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5257 is hyperetes, a Greek word defined as: pr. an under-rower, a rower, one of a ship’s crew; a minister, attendant, servant; an attendant on a magistrate, officer, Mt. 5:25; an attendant or of. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hyperetes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.