"pr. to be strong; to be superior to any one, subdue, vanquish, Acts 2:24; to get into one’s power, lay hold of, seize, apprehend, Mt. 14:3; 18:28; 21:46; to gain, compass, attain, Acts 27:13; in NT to lay hold of, grasp, clasp, Mt. 9:25; Mk. 1:31; 5:41; to retain, keep under rese..."
Definition and meaning
pr. to be strong; to be superior to any one, subdue, vanquish, Acts 2:24; to get into one’s power, lay hold of, seize, apprehend, Mt. 14:3; 18:28; 21:46; to gain, compass, attain, Acts 27:13; in NT to lay hold of, grasp, clasp, Mt. 9:25; Mk. 1:31; 5:41; to retain, keep under reserve, Mk. 9:10; met, to hold fast, observe, Mk. 7:3, 8; 2 Thess. 2:15; to hold to, adhere to, Acts 3:11; Col. 2:19; to restrain, hinder, repress, Lk. 24:16; Rev. 7:1; to retain, not to remit, sins, Jn. 20:23
In the original Greek the word is written: κρατέω
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 krateo (G2902) across the King James Bible.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
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Common questions
Strong's G2902 (krateo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to be strong; to be superior to any one, subdue, vanquish, Acts 2:24; to get into one’s power, lay hold of, seize, apprehend, Mt. 14:3; 18:28; 21:46; to gain, compass, attain, Acts 27:13; in NT to... It appears 46 times in the King James Bible.
The word krateo (G2902) appears 46 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2902 is krateo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to be strong; to be superior to any one, subdue, vanquish, Acts 2:24; to get into one’s power, lay hold of, seize, apprehend, Mt. 14:3; 18:28; 21:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
krateo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.