"a stake; a cross, Mt. 27:32, 40, 42; Phil. 2:8; by impl. the punishment of the cross, crucifixion, Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; meton. the crucifixion of Christ in respect of its import, the doctrine of the cross, 1 Cor. 17:18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12, 14; met. to take up, or bear one’s cross, ..."
Definition and meaning
a stake; a cross, Mt. 27:32, 40, 42; Phil. 2:8; by impl. the punishment of the cross, crucifixion, Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; meton. the crucifixion of Christ in respect of its import, the doctrine of the cross, 1 Cor. 17:18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12, 14; met. to take up, or bear one’s cross, to be ready to encounter any extremity, Mt. 10:38; 16:24
In the original Greek the word is written: σταυρός
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 stauros (G4716) across the King James Bible.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
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Common questions
Strong's G4716 (stauros) is a Greek word that means: a stake; a cross, Mt. 27:32, 40, 42; Phil. 2:8; by impl. the punishment of the cross, crucifixion, Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; meton. the crucifixion of Christ in respect of its import, the doctrine of the ... It appears 28 times in the King James Bible.
The word stauros (G4716) appears 28 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4716 is stauros, a Greek word defined as: a stake; a cross, Mt. 27:32, 40, 42; Phil. 2:8; by impl. the punishment of the cross, crucifixion, Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; meton. the crucifixion of Chr. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
stauros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.