"clean, pure, unsoiled, Mt. 23:26; 27:59; met. clean from guilt, guiltless, innocent, Acts 18:6; 20:26; sincere, upright, virtuous, void of evil, Mt. 5:8; Jn. 15:3; clean ceremonially and morally, Lk. 11:41"
Definition and meaning
clean, pure, unsoiled, Mt. 23:26; 27:59; met. clean from guilt, guiltless, innocent, Acts 18:6; 20:26; sincere, upright, virtuous, void of evil, Mt. 5:8; Jn. 15:3; clean ceremonially and morally, Lk. 11:41
In the original Greek the word is written: καθαρός
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 katharos (G2513) across the King James Bible.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
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Common questions
Strong's G2513 (katharos) is a Greek word that means: clean, pure, unsoiled, Mt. 23:26; 27:59; met. clean from guilt, guiltless, innocent, Acts 18:6; 20:26; sincere, upright, virtuous, void of evil, Mt. 5:8; Jn. 15:3; clean ceremonially and morally, Lk. ... It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word katharos (G2513) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2513 is katharos, a Greek word defined as: clean, pure, unsoiled, Mt. 23:26; 27:59; met. clean from guilt, guiltless, innocent, Acts 18:6; 20:26; sincere, upright, virtuous, void of evil, Mt. 5. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katharos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.