230. aléthós
Lexical Summary
aléthós: Truly, certainly, indeed

Original Word: ἀληθῶς
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: aléthós
Pronunciation: ah-lay-THOS
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ay-thoce')
KJV: indeed, surely, of a surety, truly, of a (in) truth, verily, very
NASB: truly, certainly, indeed, really, surely, sure, truthfully
Word Origin: [adverb from G227 (ἀληθής - true )]

1. truly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
indeed, surely, truly, verily.

Adverb from alethes; truly -- indeed, surely, of a surety, truly, of a (in) truth, verily, very.

see GREEK alethes

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 230 alēthṓstruly (an adverb); in accord with fact, i.e. demonstrably valid and therefore genuine (reflecting true reality). See 225/alētheia ("truth").

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb from aléthés
Definition
truly
NASB Translation
certainly (2), indeed (2), really (2), sure (1), surely (2), truly (8), truthfully (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 230: ἀληθῶς

ἀληθῶς, adverb (from Aeschylus down), truly, of a truth, in reality; most certainly: John 1:47 (48); Rec.; ; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 26:73; (Mark 14:70); Matthew 27:54; (Mark 15:39); Luke 9:27; Luke 12:44; Luke 21:3; Acts 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 2:5.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage

Strong’s 230 marks emphatic affirmations of factual reality—statements made “as it really is.” Found eighteen times, the term spans the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, Acts, and two epistles. Each setting underscores reliability: of Christ’s person, of apostolic testimony, and of genuine Christian character.

Distribution and Literary Function

• Synoptic Gospels: 8 occurrences
• Gospel of John: 7 occurrences
• Acts: 1 occurrence
• Pauline corpus: 1 occurrence
• Johannine epistles: 1 occurrence

The adverb generally (1) confirms divine revelation, (2) exposes counterfeit faith, or (3) heightens the certainty of salvation events.

Christological Witness in the Synoptics

Matthew 14:33, Mark 15:39, and Luke 9:27 frame the public recognition of Jesus’ divine identity. In the storm-stilled boat, “Those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 14:33). At the cross the Roman centurion echoes the confession: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). These declarations bracket the narrative arc of Jesus’ earthly ministry and passion, providing Spirit-inspired testimony from both Jewish disciples and a Gentile soldier.

Assertions of Historical Fact

Luke applies the adverb in narrative asides to guarantee historical reliability: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus says of the widow’s offering (Luke 21:3). Such formulae reassure readers that the recorded events correspond to unembellished reality, consistent with Luke’s stated aim to write “an orderly account” (Luke 1:3).

Discipleship and Authenticity

The word tests the genuineness of allegiance. In Matthew 26:73 and Mark 14:70 the bystanders press Peter: “Surely you are one of them.” Peter’s denial demonstrates the danger of words that ring hollow. By contrast, John 8:31 offers the positive: “If you remain in My word, you are truly My disciples”. The adverb therefore functions pastorally—calling believers to consistency between confession and conduct.

Johannine Emphasis on True Knowledge

John’s Gospel clusters the adverb around encounters that reveal authentic insight versus superficial impressions. Samaritans confess, “This is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). The crowd at Passover responds to the sign of the loaves: “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” (John 6:14). Nathanael receives Jesus’ commendation as a “true Israelite” (John 1:47), signaling that nationality alone is insufficient—integrity of heart is required.

Apostolic Confirmation of the Gospel

Acts 12:11 records Peter’s deliverance from prison: “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me.” The term underlines fulfilled promise and encourages the persecuted church. Paul similarly employs it: “When you received the word of God…you accepted it not as the word of men but as the word of God, which truly is at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Apostolic preaching is thus validated as God’s very speech.

Ethical and Pastoral Dimensions

1 John 2:5 applies the adverb to personal holiness: “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him”. Genuine love is demonstrated, not merely professed. The adverb becomes a moral litmus test, separating authentic believers from nominal adherents amid early church controversies.

Historical and Theological Reflection

Early Christian writers saw in these emphatic “trulys” an answer to skepticism. The repeated confessions—by disciples, crowds, religious leaders, and Roman authorities—form a cumulative case that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah and Son of God. They also protect against early heresies that sought to spiritualize or mythologize the incarnation and resurrection.

Implications for Contemporary Ministry

1. Preaching: The preacher, like Luke and Paul, proclaims events that are “truly” historical, grounding faith in objective reality rather than private experience.
2. Apologetics: The recurrent use of the adverb provides internal evidence of eyewitness veracity, useful in defending the gospel’s credibility.
3. Discipleship: Pastors may challenge congregations with Jesus’ criterion in John 8:31—continuance in His word proves true discipleship.
4. Worship: Responses such as “Truly You are the Son of God” model doxological confession, inviting congregations to echo Scripture’s Spirit-inspired exclamations.

Summary

Strong’s 230 functions as a Spirit-breathed spotlight, illuminating the truthfulness of revelation, the authenticity of faith, and the certainty of salvation history. Whether uttered in worship on a storm-tossed sea, whispered by a repentant Samaritan village, or penned by apostles encouraging nascent churches, the word consistently bears witness that the gospel message is no myth but “truly” God’s redemptive fact.

Forms and Transliterations
Αληθως αληθώς Ἀληθῶς αλιαίετον Alethos Alethôs Alēthōs Alēthō̂s
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 14:33 Adv
GRK: αὐτῷ λέγοντες Ἀληθῶς θεοῦ υἱὸς
NAS: Him, saying, You are certainly God's
KJV: saying, Of a truth thou art
INT: him saying Truly of God Son

Matthew 26:73 Adv
GRK: τῷ Πέτρῳ Ἀληθῶς καὶ σὺ
NAS: to Peter, Surely you too
KJV: and said to Peter, Surely thou also
INT: to Peter Truly also you

Matthew 27:54 Adv
GRK: σφόδρα λέγοντες Ἀληθῶς θεοῦ υἱὸς
NAS: and said, Truly this
KJV: greatly, saying, Truly this was
INT: greatly saying Truly God's Son

Mark 14:70 Adv
GRK: τῷ Πέτρῳ Ἀληθῶς ἐξ αὐτῶν
NAS: to Peter, Surely you are [one] of them, for you are a Galilean
KJV: to Peter, Surely thou art
INT: to Peter Truly from among them

Mark 15:39 Adv
GRK: ἐξέπνευσεν εἶπεν Ἀληθῶς οὗτος ὁ
NAS: he said, Truly this
KJV: he said, Truly this
INT: he breathed his last said Truly this

Luke 9:27 Adv
GRK: δὲ ὑμῖν ἀληθῶς εἰσίν τινες
NAS: But I say to you truthfully, there are some
KJV: I tell you of a truth, there be some
INT: moreover to you truthfully there are some

Luke 12:44 Adv
GRK: ἀληθῶς λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: Truly I say
KJV: Of a truth I say unto you,
INT: Of a truth I say to you

Luke 21:3 Adv
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν Ἀληθῶς λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: And He said, Truly I say to you, this
KJV: he said, Of a truth I say
INT: And he said Of a truth I say to you

John 1:47 Adv
GRK: αὐτοῦ Ἴδε ἀληθῶς Ἰσραηλίτης ἐν
NAS: an Israelite indeed, in whom
KJV: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom
INT: him Behold truly an Israelite in

John 4:42 Adv
GRK: οὗτός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς ὁ σωτὴρ
NAS: that this One is indeed the Savior
KJV: this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour
INT: this is truly the Savior

John 6:14 Adv
GRK: Οὗτός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς ὁ προφήτης
NAS: This is truly the Prophet
KJV: is of a truth that prophet
INT: This is truly the prophet

John 7:26 Adv
GRK: μή ποτε ἀληθῶς ἔγνωσαν οἱ
NAS: to Him. The rulers do not really know
KJV: this is the very Christ?
INT: not ever Truly have recognized those who

John 7:40 Adv
GRK: Οὗτός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς ὁ προφήτης
NAS: This certainly is the Prophet.
KJV: this saying, said, Of a truth this is
INT: This is truly the prophet

John 8:31 Adv
GRK: τῷ ἐμῷ ἀληθῶς μαθηταί μού
NAS: in My word, [then] you are truly disciples
KJV: my disciples indeed;
INT: my truly disciples of me

John 17:8 Adv
GRK: καὶ ἔγνωσαν ἀληθῶς ὅτι παρὰ
NAS: to them; and they received [them] and truly understood
KJV: have known surely that
INT: and knew truly that from

Acts 12:11 Adv
GRK: Νῦν οἶδα ἀληθῶς ὅτι ἐξαπέστειλεν
NAS: I know for sure that the Lord
KJV: Now I know of a surety, that the Lord
INT: Now I know truly that sent forth

1 Thessalonians 2:13 Adv
GRK: ἀλλὰ καθὼς ἀληθῶς ἐστὶν λόγον
NAS: but [for] what it really is, the word
KJV: as it is in truth, the word of God,
INT: but even as truly it is [the] word

1 John 2:5 Adv
GRK: τὸν λόγον ἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ
NAS: of God has truly been perfected.
KJV: in him verily is the love
INT: word truly in him

Strong's Greek 230
18 Occurrences


Ἀληθῶς — 18 Occ.

229
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