"a reed, cane, Mt. 11:7; 12:20; Lk. 7:24; a reed in its various appliances, as, a wand, a staff, Mt. 27:29, 30, 48; Mk. 15:19, 36; a measuring-rod, Rev. 11:1; 21:15f.; a writer’s reed, 3 Jn. 13*"
Definition and meaning
a reed, cane, Mt. 11:7; 12:20; Lk. 7:24; a reed in its various appliances, as, a wand, a staff, Mt. 27:29, 30, 48; Mk. 15:19, 36; a measuring-rod, Rev. 11:1; 21:15f.; a writer’s reed, 3 Jn. 13*
In the original Greek the word is written: κάλαμος
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 kalamos (G2563) across the King James Bible.
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
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 they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
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Common questions
Strong's G2563 (kalamos) is a Greek word that means: a reed, cane, Mt. 11:7; 12:20; Lk. 7:24; a reed in its various appliances, as, a wand, a staff, Mt. 27:29, 30, 48; Mk. 15:19, 36; a measuring-rod, Rev. 11:1; 21:15f.; a writer’s reed, 3 Jn. 13* It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word kalamos (G2563) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2563 is kalamos, a Greek word defined as: a reed, cane, Mt. 11:7; 12:20; Lk. 7:24; a reed in its various appliances, as, a wand, a staff, Mt. 27:29, 30, 48; Mk. 15:19, 36; a measuring-rod, Rev. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kalamos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.