Lexical Summary bouleutés: Counselor, Member of a Council Original Word: βουλευτής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance counselor. From bouleuo; an adviser, i.e. (specially) a councillor or member of the Jewish Sanhedrin -- counsellor. see GREEK bouleuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bouleuó Definition a councilor NASB Translation member of the council (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1010: βουλευτήςβουλευτής, βουλευτου, ὁ, a councillor, senator, (buleuta, Pliny, epistles): first in Homer, Iliad 6, 114; of a member of the Sanhedrin, Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50. (Job 3:14; Job 12:17.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Cultural Setting The term describes a recognized member of a formal deliberative body—specifically the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court in the first century. Such “counselors” combined civic authority with religious accountability, wielding influence over legal decisions, Temple policy, and matters of life and death (John 11:47; Acts 4:15). Their position paralleled elder-statesmen in Israel’s history who sat “in the gate” (Ruth 4:1-2), giving judgment on behalf of the community. Occurrences in the New Testament Mark 15:43 and Luke 23:50 identify Joseph of Arimathea as a βουλευτής. In both accounts he is singled out from the broader council for exemplary character: These verses form the New Testament’s complete usage of Strong’s 1010, making Joseph the interpretive lens through which the word is understood. The Sanhedrin Context First-century Jewish leadership comprised chief priests (largely Sadducean), scribes (predominantly Pharisaic), and elders. A βουλευτής could belong to any of these factions, yet the role was unified by sworn responsibility to uphold Torah and safeguard the nation’s covenant fidelity. This court tried Jesus (Mark 14:55-64) and later opposed the apostles (Acts 5:27-40). Thus, Joseph’s presence within that body underscores both its hostility toward Christ and the quiet emergence of faith within its ranks. Joseph of Arimathea: Portrait of a Righteous Counselor 1. Spiritual Expectation: He was “waiting for the kingdom of God” (Mark 15:43), aligning him with Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38) rather than the calculating religiosity of many peers. Doctrinal Insights • Divine sovereignty works through even the structures that oppose Christ. A single βουλευτής becomes an instrument fulfilling Messianic prophecy, illustrating Proverbs 21:1 about the Lord directing the heart of rulers. Practical Ministry Applications • Believers serving in governmental or judicial roles can emulate Joseph by exercising influence for righteousness while maintaining gospel witness. Related Biblical Motifs Counsel and Counselors—Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 20:18 emphasize the value of wise counsel, contrasting it with the Sanhedrin’s folly in condemning the Messiah. Rich Man Motif—Joseph’s wealth parallels figures like Abraham (Genesis 13:2) and Job (Job 1:3), showing that material resources, when yielded to God, advance redemptive purposes. Burial Customs—Genesis 23 (Abraham securing a tomb) and Acts 5:6 (early Christian burials) frame Joseph’s action within a continuum of honoring the dead as an act of faith. Summary Strong’s Greek 1010 appears sparingly yet strategically, focusing attention on a single counselor whose righteous courage bridges the hostility of the Sanhedrin and the hope of the resurrection. Joseph of Arimathea’s exemplary use of authority calls every believer—especially those in public office—to steward influence for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. Forms and Transliterations βουλευτάς βουλευτης βουλευτής βουλευτὴς βουλευτικής βουλευτών bouleutes bouleutēs bouleutḗs bouleutḕsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 15:43 N-NMSGRK: Ἁριμαθαίας εὐσχήμων βουλευτής ὃς καὶ NAS: a prominent member of the Council, who KJV: an honourable counsellor, which INT: Arimathaea prominent Council member who also Luke 23:50 N-NMS |
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