"a vessel, ship, bark, whether large or small, Mt. 4:21, 22; Acts 21:2, 3"
Definition and meaning
a vessel, ship, bark, whether large or small, Mt. 4:21, 22; Acts 21:2, 3
In the original Greek the word is written: πλοῖον
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 ploion (G4143) across the King James Bible.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
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Common questions
Strong's G4143 (ploion) is a Greek word that means: a vessel, ship, bark, whether large or small, Mt. 4:21, 22; Acts 21:2, 3 It appears 63 times in the King James Bible.
The word ploion (G4143) appears 63 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4143 is ploion, a Greek word defined as: a vessel, ship, bark, whether large or small, Mt. 4:21, 22; Acts 21:2, 3. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ploion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.