Lexical Summary thura: Door, gate, entrance Original Word: θύρα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance door, gate. Apparently a primary word (compare "door"); a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively) -- door, gate. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a door NASB Translation door (28), doors (6), entrance (3), gate (1), gates (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2374: θύραθύρα, θύρας, ἡ (from θύω to rush in, properly, that through which a rush is made; hence, German Thür (English door; Curtius, § 319)) (from Homer down), the Sept. for דֶּלֶת and פֶּתַח, sometimes also for שַׁעַר; a (house) door; (in plural equivalent to Latinfores, folding doors; cf. Winers Grammar, 176 (166); Buttmann, 24 (21); cf. πύλη); a. properly: κλείειν, etc. τήν θύραν, Matthew 6:6; Luke 13:25; passive, Matthew 25:10; Luke 11:7; John 20:19, 26; Acts 21:30; ἀνοίγειν, Acts 5:19; passive Acts 16:26f; κρούειν, Acts 12:13; διά τῆς θυρης, John 10:1f; πρός τήν θύραν, Mark 1:33; Mark 11:4 (Tr WH omit τήν; cf. Winer's Grammar, 123 (116)); Acts 3:2; τά πρός τήν θύραν the vestibule (so Buttmann, § 125, 9; others the space or parts at (near) the door), Mark 2:2; πρός τῇ θύρα John 18:16; ἐπί τῇ θύρα, Acts 5:9; πρό τῆς θύρας, Acts 12:6; ἐπί τῶν θυρῶν, Acts 5:23 (R G πρό). b. θύρα is used of any opening like a door, an entrance, way or passage into: ἡ θύρα τοῦ μνημείου, of the tomb, Matthew 27:60; Matthew 28:2 R G; Mark 15:46; Mark 16:3, (Homer, Odyssey 9, 243; 12, 256; others). c. in parable and metaphorically, we find α. ἡ θύρα τῶν προβάτων, the door through which the sheep go out and in, the name of him who brings salvation to those who follow his guidance, John 10:7, 9; cf. Christ. From Fritzsche in Fritzschiorum opuscc., p. 20ff; (in Ignatius ad Philad. 9 [ET] Christ is called ἡ θύρα τοῦ πατρός, δἰ ἧς ἐισερχονται Ἀβραάμ ... καί οἱ προφῆται; cf. Harnack on Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 48, 3f [ET]). β. 'an open door' is used of the opportunity of doing something: τῆς πίστεως, of getting faith, Acts 14:27; open to a teacher, i. e. the opportunity of teaching others, 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; by a bold combination of metaphor and literal language, the phrase θύρα μεγάλη καί ἐνεργής (A. V. a great door and effectual) is used of a large opportunity of teaching a great multitude the way of salvation, and one encouraging the hope of the most successful results: 1 Corinthians 16:9. γ. the door of the kingdom of heaven (likened to a palace) denotes the conditions which must be complied with in order to be received into the kingdom of God: Luke 13:24 (for Rec. πύλης); power of entering, access into, God's eternal kingdom, Revelation 3:8 cf. Revelation 3:7 (but others besides; add here Revelation 4:1). δ. he whose advent is just at hand is said ἐπί θύραις εἶναι, Matthew 24:33; Mark 13:29, and πρό θυρῶν ἑστηκεναι, James 5:9. ε. ἑστηκώς ἐπί τήν θύραν καί κρούων is said of Christ seeking entrance into souls, and they who comply with his entreaty are said ἀνοίγειν τήν θύραν, Revelation 3:20. New Testament writers employ θύρα for ordinary entrances, capturing the texture of first-century life. A newly-hewn tomb is sealed with “a large stone against the door of the tomb” (Matthew 27:60). Crowds press to a house “so that there was no more room, not even at the door” (Mark 2:2). Prison narratives revolve around iron-clad doors: “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared… and the chains fell off… the iron gate leading into the city opened for them by itself” (Acts 12:7–10), and later “immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:26). Such scenes show both the everyday function of doors and the Lord’s power to override them. Privacy and Personal Devotion Jesus links a shut door with sincere prayer: “When you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is unseen” (Matthew 6:6). The closed door symbolizes withdrawal from performance-oriented religion and entry into the Father’s presence, encouraging quiet communion that stands in contrast to public display. Signs of Nearness and Readiness Prophetic teaching uses doors to mark imminence. Jesus declares, “When you see all these things, know that He is near, right at the doors” (Matthew 24:33; Mark 13:29). The image communicates both proximity and preparedness: the eschatological moment is poised to break in like a visitor already on the threshold. Christ the Door of the Sheep Only in the Gospel of John does θύρα become a christological title. “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7) and “I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). Here θύρα conveys exclusivity (one authorized entry), security (safety within the fold), and provision (pasture beyond). By portraying Himself as the sole legitimate portal, Jesus affirms the unity of revelation and redemption: access to God is mediated through His incarnate Son alone. Urgent Door of Salvation Luke draws on threshold imagery to stress limited opportunity. The master rises and “shuts the door,” after which latecomers plead, “Lord, open the door for us,” but hear the solemn reply, “I do not know where you come from” (Luke 13:24-25). Salvation must be sought before the door closes; procrastination risks irreversible exclusion. Open Doors for Gospel Ministry The term becomes a metaphor for divinely-granted opportunity. Reporting the first missionary journey, Luke notes that God “had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul later writes, “A great and effective door has opened to me” (1 Corinthians 16:9), “when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me” (2 Corinthians 2:12), and he asks the Colossian church to pray “that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3). The imagery underscores God’s sovereignty in mission—He alone unlocks hearts and contexts—while highlighting the church’s responsibility to recognize and enter those openings. Divine Invitation and Fellowship To the lukewarm assembly in Laodicea the risen Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). The scene pictures the Lord as the rightful Master seeking renewed fellowship with His people; the handle is on their side, stressing personal response within covenant grace. Heavenly Door and Apocalyptic Revelation John records, “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven” (Revelation 4:1). The opened door grants the seer access to the throne room, assuring believers that earthly turmoil is governed from a heavenly court where worship is unceasing and sovereignty absolute. Pastoral and Practical Applications 1. Assurance: Christ’s self-designation as the door guarantees that all who approach God through Him are secure. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Palestinian doors were typically wooden, hinged on sockets cut into threshold and lintel, and secured by bolts or bars—features that underlie narratives of barring and unbarring (Acts 5:23; Acts 12:10). Sheepfolds often had a single opening where the shepherd would lie at night, providing vivid context for Jesus’ claim to be the door. City gates, also called θύραι, were strategic points for commerce, judgment, and defense; hence an “open door” metaphor naturally conveyed opportunity and protection. Summary Θύρα ranges from mundane architecture to profound theological symbol. It pictures salvation through Christ, urgent decision, providential opportunity, intimate fellowship, and sovereign revelation. Across narrative, parable, epistle, and apocalypse, the Spirit weaves a unified testimony: God opens and closes doors according to His redemptive purpose, and faith’s calling is to enter while the way stands open. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:6 N-AFSGRK: κλείσας τὴν θύραν σου πρόσευξαι NAS: close your door and pray KJV: thy door, pray INT: having shut the door of you pray Matthew 24:33 N-DFP Matthew 25:10 N-NFS Matthew 27:60 N-DFS Mark 1:33 N-AFS Mark 2:2 N-AFS Mark 11:4 N-AFS Mark 13:29 N-DFP Mark 15:46 N-AFS Mark 16:3 N-GFS Luke 11:7 N-NFS Luke 13:24 N-GFS Luke 13:25 N-AFS Luke 13:25 N-AFS John 10:1 N-GFS John 10:2 N-GFS John 10:7 N-NFS John 10:9 N-NFS John 18:16 N-DFS John 20:19 N-GFP John 20:26 N-GFP Acts 3:2 N-AFS Acts 5:9 N-DFS Acts 5:19 N-AFP Acts 5:23 N-GFP Strong's Greek 2374 |
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