"to fix stakes; later, to crucify, affix to the cross, Mt. 20:19; 23:34; met. to crucify, to mortify, to deaden, to make a sacrifice of, Gal. 5:24; pass. to be cut off from a thing, as by a violent death, to be come dead to, Gal. 6:14"
Definition and meaning
to fix stakes; later, to crucify, affix to the cross, Mt. 20:19; 23:34; met. to crucify, to mortify, to deaden, to make a sacrifice of, Gal. 5:24; pass. to be cut off from a thing, as by a violent death, to be come dead to, Gal. 6:14
In the original Greek the word is written: σταυρόω
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 stauroo (G4717) across the King James Bible.
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
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Common questions
Strong's G4717 (stauroo) is a Greek word that means: to fix stakes; later, to crucify, affix to the cross, Mt. 20:19; 23:34; met. to crucify, to mortify, to deaden, to make a sacrifice of, Gal. 5:24; pass. to be cut off from a thing, as by a violent dea... It appears 42 times in the King James Bible.
The word stauroo (G4717) appears 42 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4717 is stauroo, a Greek word defined as: to fix stakes; later, to crucify, affix to the cross, Mt. 20:19; 23:34; met. to crucify, to mortify, to deaden, to make a sacrifice of, Gal. 5:24; pas. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
stauroo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.