Lexical Summary grammateus: Scribe Original Word: γραμματεύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scribe, town-clerk. From gramma. A writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary -- scribe, town-clerk. see GREEK gramma HELPS Word-studies 1122 grammateús (from graphō, "to write") – a scribe. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gramma Definition a writer, scribe NASB Translation scribe (4), scribes (59), town clerk (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1122: γραμματεύςγραμματεύς, γραμματέως (accusative plural γραμματεῖς, Winers Grammar, § 9, 2; (Buttmann, 14 (13))), ὁ (γράμμα), the Sept. for סֹפֵר and שֹׁטֵר; 1. in secular authors and here and there in the O. T. (e. g. 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 20:25; 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Kings 25:19; Psalm 44:2 2. in the Bible, a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher: Matthew 23:34; 1 Corinthians 1:20 (called also νομικός in Luke 10:25, and νομοδιδάσκαλος in Luke 5:17; (Meyer (on Matthew 22:35), while denying any essential different between γραμματεύς and νομικός (cf. Luke 11:52, 53 — yet see critical texts), regards the latter name as the more specific (a jurisconsult) and Classic, γραμματεύς as the more general (a learned man) and Hebraistic; it is also the more common in the Apocrypha, where νομικός occurs only 4 Macc. 5:3. As teachers they were called νομοδιδάσκαλοι. Cf. B. D. under the word 3. universally, a religious teacher: γραμματεύς μαθητευθείς εἰς τήν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν a teacher so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:52 (but G T Tr WH read μαθητευθείς τῇ βασιλεία (L ἐν τῇ βασιλείαν); and many interpret made a disciple unto the kingdom of heaven (which is personified); see μαθητεύω, at the end). Strong’s Greek 1122 identifies the γραμματεύς, commonly translated “scribe.” In the first-century world the title covered a range of responsibilities—from copying Scripture and safeguarding legal documents to teaching Torah and advising the Sanhedrin. In the Gospels and Acts the term appears sixty-four times, usually describing a distinct theological party that often aligns with Pharisees and chief priests, yet occasionally standing alone or appearing in civic contexts. Historical Background 1. Old Covenant roots Scribes arose during the exile (compare Ezra 7:6) to preserve and interpret the Law. By the time of Jesus they had become an institutional class, many belonging to the party of the Pharisees (Acts 23:9). 2. Training and authority A scribe mastered writing, memorized large portions of Scripture, and learned accepted rabbinic interpretations. Their rulings carried legal weight in Jewish society; hence the repeated designation “scribes of the people” (Matthew 2:4) and “scribes of the Pharisees” (Mark 2:16). 3. Civic function Outside Judea the title could denote a municipal secretary, as in Ephesus: “After quieting the crowd, the city clerk said…” (Acts 19:35). Such usage underscores the broader Greco-Roman sense of an official recorder. Role in Jewish Society • Expositors of the Law They read and explained Scripture in the synagogues (Luke 4:17-22 implies this practice). Their opinions guided civil and ceremonial courts (Mark 14:53). Faithful textual transmission of the Hebrew Scriptures rested largely on their expertise. Interaction with Jesus 1. Astonishment at His authority “He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matthew 7:29). The contrast is thematic: Jesus teaches from His own divine prerogative; scribes rely on precedent. 2. Questions and confrontations These exchanges expose traditions that obscured God’s intent (Matthew 15:1-9). 3. Participation in the passion The scribes conspire with chief priests: “The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death” (Mark 10:33). They mock Him on the cross (Mark 15:31). Teachings and Warnings of Jesus 1. Hypocrisy denounced In Matthew 23 Jesus pronounces seven woes: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13). Charges include shutting the kingdom to others, devouring widows’ houses, legalistic tithing while neglecting “justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23), and outward show masking inward corruption. 2. Example to surpass “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20). Jesus calls His followers to internal transformation rather than external compliance. Positive Glimmers • Teachable response One scribe engages Jesus honestly: “Well said, Teacher… You are right” (Mark 12:32-34). Jesus affirms him as “not far from the kingdom of God.” “Every scribe who has been discipled for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who brings out of his treasure new and old things.” (Matthew 13:52). Here Jesus envisions scribes transformed by the gospel, integrating the Old Testament with the revelation of Christ. In Acts 23:9 some scribes of the Pharisees side with Paul: “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Pauline Perspective Paul places scribes within a triad of human wisdom: “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20). The cross nullifies self-exalting scholarship, redirecting learning toward Christ-centred truth. Ministry Significance Today 1. Stewardship of Scripture The scribes’ meticulous copying reminds modern believers of the importance of accurate textual transmission and teaching. 2. Danger of Formalism Their failure warns pastors and teachers against equating knowledge with obedience. Orthodoxy must issue in love and justice. 3. Call to Kingdom Scholarship Matthew 13:52 portrays the ideal: scholars discipled to Jesus who unite “new and old” in gospel proclamation. Christian educators and writers are to emulate this redeemed scribe—rooted in the Old Testament, illuminated by the New, and devoted to serving God’s people with humble integrity. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:4 N-AMPGRK: ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ NAS: the chief priests and scribes of the people, KJV: and scribes of the people INT: chief priests and scribes of the people Matthew 5:20 N-GMP Matthew 7:29 N-NMP Matthew 8:19 N-NMS Matthew 9:3 N-GMP Matthew 12:38 N-GMP Matthew 13:52 N-NMS Matthew 15:1 N-NMP Matthew 16:21 N-GMP Matthew 17:10 N-NMP Matthew 20:18 N-DMP Matthew 21:15 N-NMP Matthew 23:2 N-NMP Matthew 23:13 N-VMP Matthew 23:14 Noun-VMP Matthew 23:15 N-VMP Matthew 23:23 N-VMP Matthew 23:25 N-VMP Matthew 23:27 N-VMP Matthew 23:29 N-VMP Matthew 23:34 N-AMP Matthew 26:57 N-NMP Matthew 27:41 N-GMP Mark 1:22 N-NMP Mark 2:6 N-GMP Strong's Greek 1122 |
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