"a rock, Mt. 7:24, 25; met. Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8; crags, clefts, Rev. 6:15, 16; stony ground, Lk. 8:6, 13"
Definition and meaning
a rock, Mt. 7:24, 25; met. Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8; crags, clefts, Rev. 6:15, 16; stony ground, Lk. 8:6, 13
In the original Greek the word is written: πέτρα
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 petra (G4073) across the King James Bible.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
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Common questions
Strong's G4073 (petra) is a Greek word that means: a rock, Mt. 7:24, 25; met. Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8; crags, clefts, Rev. 6:15, 16; stony ground, Lk. 8:6, 13 It appears 14 times in the King James Bible.
The word petra (G4073) appears 14 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4073 is petra, a Greek word defined as: a rock, Mt. 7:24, 25; met. Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8; crags, clefts, Rev. 6:15, 16; stony ground, Lk. 8:6, 13. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
petra is a Greek word found in the New Testament.