"an evil-doer, malefactor, criminal, Lk. 23:32, 33, 39; 2 Tim. 2:9*"
Definition and meaning
an evil-doer, malefactor, criminal, Lk. 23:32, 33, 39; 2 Tim. 2:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: κακοῦργος
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 kakourgos (G2557) across the King James Bible.
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
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Common questions
Strong's G2557 (kakourgos) is a Greek word that means: an evil-doer, malefactor, criminal, Lk. 23:32, 33, 39; 2 Tim. 2:9* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word kakourgos (G2557) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2557 is kakourgos, a Greek word defined as: an evil-doer, malefactor, criminal, Lk. 23:32, 33, 39; 2 Tim. 2:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kakourgos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.