Lexical Summary kalamos: Reed, staff, measuring rod, pen Original Word: κάλαμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pen, reed. Or uncertain affinity; a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen -- pen, reed. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a reed NASB Translation measuring rod (2), pen (1), reed (8), rod (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2563: κάλαμοςκάλαμος, καλάμου, ὁ, from Pindar down, Latincalamus, i. e. a. a reed: Matthew 11:7; Matthew 12:20 (from Isaiah 42:3); Luke 7:24. b. a staff made of a reed, a reed-staff (as in 2 Kings 18:21): Matthew 27:29f, 48; Mark 15:19, 36. c. a measuring reed or rod: Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15f (Ezekiel 40:3-6; Ezekiel 42:16-19). d. a writer's reed, a pen: 3 John 1:13; (see Gardthausen, Griech. Palaeogr., p. 71f). The term describes a reed—common, hollow, and easily swayed—yet also straight and useful for measuring or writing. In Scripture it serves as a vivid emblem of human frailty, gentle mercy, derision of Christ, precise divine measurement, and apostolic testimony. Fragility versus Steadfastness Matthew 11:7 and Luke 7:24 record Jesus asking the crowds concerning John the Baptist, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?”. The picture contrasts the prophet’s firmness with the instability of a reed in a gale, challenging disciples to seek spiritual resoluteness rather than vacillation. Mercy toward the Vulnerable Quoting Isaiah, Matthew 12:20 affirms the Messiah’s compassion: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” The image highlights Christ’s tender care for the wounded, assuring the struggling believer that divine justice arrives through restorative gentleness, not harsh destruction. Mock Scepter in the Passion During the crucifixion narrative (Matthew 27:29-30; Mark 15:19), soldiers place a reed in Jesus’ hand as a parody of royal authority and strike Him with it. The object of scorn becomes an irony-laden proclamation: the mocked King is, in truth, the Sovereign. Matthew 27:48 and Mark 15:36 further employ a reed to raise sour wine to His lips, underlining the blend of cruelty and unwitting service rendered to the Lamb. Measuring Rod of Divine Order Revelation 11:1 presents John given “a measuring rod like a reed,” instructed, “Go and measure the temple of God.” Again in Revelation 21:15-16 an angel bears “a golden measuring rod” to size the New Jerusalem, whose length, width, and height are equal. The reed here stands for exactness, holiness, and the certainty of God’s eschatological design. What appears flimsy in nature becomes, in God’s hand, the plumb line of perfection. Instrument of Apostolic Witness 3 John 1:13 attests, “I have many things to write you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink”. The humble reed-pen enabled the spread of apostolic teaching, turning a common river plant into a tool that inscribed eternal truth. Historical Background In first-century Palestine and the wider Mediterranean, reeds thrived along waterways such as the Jordan and the Nile. Lightweight and straight, they served as walking sticks, surveyors’ rods, musical pipes, arrows, and pens. Their availability made them a ready metaphor in Hebrew and Greek culture, carrying connotations of weakness or versatility depending on context (compare 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6). Theological Themes 1. Human weakness contrasts with divine strength. Ministry Applications • Leaders must resist the sway of cultural winds, embodying John’s immovability. Summary Across twelve New Testament occurrences, the reed alternates between picture of frailty and pointer to divine authority. Whether shaking in the wind, lifted in mockery, dipped in ink, or gilded for celestial measurement, it continually draws the reader to Christ’s gentleness, sovereignty, and the exacting yet gracious purposes of God. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 11:7 N-AMSGRK: ἔρημον θεάσασθαι κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου NAS: to see? A reed shaken KJV: to see? A reed shaken INT: wilderness to look at a reed by [the] wind Matthew 12:20 N-AMS Matthew 27:29 N-AMS Matthew 27:30 N-AMS Matthew 27:48 N-DMS Mark 15:19 N-DMS Mark 15:36 N-DMS Luke 7:24 N-AMS 3 John 1:13 N-GMS Revelation 11:1 N-NMS Revelation 21:15 N-AMS Revelation 21:16 N-DMS Strong's Greek 2563 |
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