"a judge, Mt. 5:25; from the Hebrew, a magistrate, ruler, Acts 13:20; 24:10"
Definition and meaning
a judge, Mt. 5:25; from the Hebrew, a magistrate, ruler, Acts 13:20; 24:10
In the original Greek the word is written: κριτής
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 krites (G2923) across the King James Bible.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
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Common questions
Strong's G2923 (krites) is a Greek word that means: a judge, Mt. 5:25; from the Hebrew, a magistrate, ruler, Acts 13:20; 24:10 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word krites (G2923) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2923 is krites, a Greek word defined as: a judge, Mt. 5:25; from the Hebrew, a magistrate, ruler, Acts 13:20; 24:10. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
krites is a Greek word found in the New Testament.