"pr. one who sweeps or cleanses a temple; generally, one who has the charge of a temple; in NT a devotee city, as having specially dedicated a temple to some deity, Acts 19:35*"
Definition and meaning
pr. one who sweeps or cleanses a temple; generally, one who has the charge of a temple; in NT a devotee city, as having specially dedicated a temple to some deity, Acts 19:35*
In the original Greek the word is written: νεωκόρος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 neokoros (G3511) across the King James Bible.
And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3511 (neokoros) is a Greek word that means: pr. one who sweeps or cleanses a temple; generally, one who has the charge of a temple; in NT a devotee city, as having specially dedicated a temple to some deity, Acts 19:35* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word neokoros (G3511) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3511 is neokoros, a Greek word defined as: pr. one who sweeps or cleanses a temple; generally, one who has the charge of a temple; in NT a devotee city, as having specially dedicated a temple t. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
neokoros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.