"a theater, a place where public games and spectacles are exhibited, Acts 19:29, 31; meton. a show, gazing-stock, 1 Cor. 4:9*"
Definition and meaning
a theater, a place where public games and spectacles are exhibited, Acts 19:29, 31; meton. a show, gazing-stock, 1 Cor. 4:9*
In the original Greek the word is written: θέατρον
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 theatron (G2302) across the King James Bible.
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
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Common questions
Strong's G2302 (theatron) is a Greek word that means: a theater, a place where public games and spectacles are exhibited, Acts 19:29, 31; meton. a show, gazing-stock, 1 Cor. 4:9* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word theatron (G2302) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2302 is theatron, a Greek word defined as: a theater, a place where public games and spectacles are exhibited, Acts 19:29, 31; meton. a show, gazing-stock, 1 Cor. 4:9*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
theatron is a Greek word found in the New Testament.