"Jewish, Mk. 1:5; Jn. 3:22; Acts 16:1; 24:24; pr. one sprung from the tribe of Judah, or a subject of the kingdom of Judah; in NT a descendant of Jacob, a Jew, Mt. 28:15; Mk. 7:3; Acts 19:34; Rom. 2:28, 29"
Definition and meaning
Jewish, Mk. 1:5; Jn. 3:22; Acts 16:1; 24:24; pr. one sprung from the tribe of Judah, or a subject of the kingdom of Judah; in NT a descendant of Jacob, a Jew, Mt. 28:15; Mk. 7:3; Acts 19:34; Rom. 2:28, 29
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἰουδαῖος
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 ioudaios (G2453) across the King James Bible.
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
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Common questions
Strong's G2453 (ioudaios) is a Greek word that means: Jewish, Mk. 1:5; Jn. 3:22; Acts 16:1; 24:24; pr. one sprung from the tribe of Judah, or a subject of the kingdom of Judah; in NT a descendant of Jacob, a Jew, Mt. 28:15; Mk. 7:3; Acts 19:34; Rom. 2:28... It appears 186 times in the King James Bible.
The word ioudaios (G2453) appears 186 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2453 is ioudaios, a Greek word defined as: Jewish, Mk. 1:5; Jn. 3:22; Acts 16:1; 24:24; pr. one sprung from the tribe of Judah, or a subject of the kingdom of Judah; in NT a descendant of Jacob. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ioudaios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.