"a soldier, Mt. 8:9; 27:27; met. a soldier of Christ, 2 Tim. 2:3"
Definition and meaning
a soldier, Mt. 8:9; 27:27; met. a soldier of Christ, 2 Tim. 2:3
In the original Greek the word is written: στρατιώτης
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 stratiotes (G4757) across the King James Bible.
For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
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Common questions
Strong's G4757 (stratiotes) is a Greek word that means: a soldier, Mt. 8:9; 27:27; met. a soldier of Christ, 2 Tim. 2:3 It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word stratiotes (G4757) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4757 is stratiotes, a Greek word defined as: a soldier, Mt. 8:9; 27:27; met. a soldier of Christ, 2 Tim. 2:3. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
stratiotes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.