Lexical Summary kategoros: Accuser Original Word: κατήγορος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance accuser. From kata and agora; against one in the assembly, i.e. A complainant at law; specially, Satan -- accuser. see GREEK kata see GREEK agora Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2725: κατήγοροςκατήγορος, κατηγορου, ὁ (κατηγορέω (which see ad at the end)), an accuser: John 8:10; Acts 23:30, 35; Acts 24:8 (R); STRONGS NT 2725: κατήγωρκατήγωρ, ὁ, an accuser: Revelation 12:10 G L T WH. It is a form unknown to Greek writers, a literal transcription of the Hebrew קָטִיגור, a name given to the devil by the rabbis; cf. Buxtorf, Lex. Chaldean talm. et rahb., p. 2009 (p. 997, Fischer edition); (Schöttgen, Horae Hebrew i., p. 1121f; cf. Buttmann, 25 (22)). Strong’s Greek 2725 appears six times in the Greek New Testament—five times in Acts (Acts 23:30; Acts 23:35; Acts 24:8; Acts 25:18; Acts 25:16) and once in Revelation (Revelation 12:10). In Acts it is always plural, designating identifiable human prosecutors in Roman judicial settings. In Revelation it is singular and heavenly, denoting the ultimate spiritual prosecutor. Historical and Legal Background In the Greco-Roman court system a public plaintiff initiated formal charges. This context informs Luke’s narrative: Jewish leaders function as plaintiffs before Roman governors, supplying the legal theater in which Paul consistently offers his defense of the gospel. The Roman process demanded face-to-face confrontation (Acts 25:16), ensuring the accused could answer each indictment. Luke’s attention to these details highlights the gospel’s integrity under rigorous civil scrutiny. Usage in Acts: Earthly Prosecutors of the Gospel 1. Acts 23:30 introduces “the accusers” preparing to present a case before Governor Felix. Across these passages Luke portrays Paul’s ministry as legally defensible. Though the plaintiffs are numerous and determined, none produce evidence sufficient to condemn the apostle. The word therefore underscores the triumph of truth in open court and the believer’s right to a reasoned defense (compare 1 Peter 3:15). Usage in Revelation: The Cosmic Prosecutor Revelation 12:10 shifts the term from earthly to cosmic scale: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God”. Here the singular accuser is Satan, whose constant litigation against believers is finally silenced through Christ’s victory. The fall of this prosecutor signals the irreversible advance of God’s kingdom and the vindication of the saints. Theological Themes • Continuity of Conflict: The earthly prosecutors opposing Paul mirror the heavenly prosecutor opposing the church. Both are ultimately powerless against God’s sovereign plan. Implications for Ministry Today 1. Expect Opposition: Faithful proclamation will attract formal and informal accusations. Summary Whether describing human prosecutors in Acts or Satan himself in Revelation, Strong’s 2725 epitomizes opposition to God’s people. Scripture portrays such prosecution as real yet ultimately futile, for the risen Christ ensures both present defense and future acquittal for all who belong to Him. Englishman's Concordance Acts 23:30 N-DMPGRK: καὶ τοῖς κατηγόροις λέγειν τὰ NAS: instructing his accusers to bring charges KJV: and gave commandment to his accusers also INT: also the accusers to say these things Acts 23:35 N-NMP Acts 24:8 Noun-AMP Acts 25:16 N-AMP Acts 25:18 N-NMP Revelation 12:10 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2725 |
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