"to cause to burn, kindle, light, Mt. 5:15; pass. to be kindled, burn, flame, Lk. 12:35; met. to be kindled into emotion, Lk. 24:32; to consume with fire, Jn. 15:6; 1 Cor. 13:3"
Definition and meaning
to cause to burn, kindle, light, Mt. 5:15; pass. to be kindled, burn, flame, Lk. 12:35; met. to be kindled into emotion, Lk. 24:32; to consume with fire, Jn. 15:6; 1 Cor. 13:3
In the original Greek the word is written: καίω
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 kaio (G2545) across the King James Bible.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2545 (kaio) is a Greek word that means: to cause to burn, kindle, light, Mt. 5:15; pass. to be kindled, burn, flame, Lk. 12:35; met. to be kindled into emotion, Lk. 24:32; to consume with fire, Jn. 15:6; 1 Cor. 13:3 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word kaio (G2545) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2545 is kaio, a Greek word defined as: to cause to burn, kindle, light, Mt. 5:15; pass. to be kindled, burn, flame, Lk. 12:35; met. to be kindled into emotion, Lk. 24:32; to consume with fi. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kaio is a Greek word found in the New Testament.