"an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mt. 16:23; Mk. 8:33; Lk. 4:8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mt. 4:10; Mk. 1:13"
Definition and meaning
an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mt. 16:23; Mk. 8:33; Lk. 4:8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mt. 4:10; Mk. 1:13
In the original Greek the word is written: Σατανᾶς
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 satanas (G4567) across the King James Bible.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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Common questions
Strong's G4567 (satanas) is a Greek word that means: an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mt. 16:23; Mk. 8:33; Lk. 4:8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mt. 4:10; Mk. 1:13 It appears 32 times in the King James Bible.
The word satanas (G4567) appears 32 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4567 is satanas, a Greek word defined as: an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mt. 16:23; Mk. 8:33; Lk. 4:8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mt. 4:10; Mk. 1:13. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
satanas is a Greek word found in the New Testament.