Lexical Summary kentron: Sting, goad Original Word: κέντρον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prick, sting. From kenteo (to prick); a point ("centre"), i.e. A sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse) -- prick, sting. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kenteó (to prick) Definition a sharp point NASB Translation goads (1), sting (2), stings (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2759: κέντρονκέντρον, κέντρου, τό (κεντέω to prick); 1. a sting, as that of bees (4 Macc. 14:19), scorpions, locusts, Revelation 9:10. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55 (after Hosea 13:14, the Sept.) attributes to death, personified, a κέντρον, i. e. a deadly weapon, and that κέντρον is said to be ἡ ἁμαρτία (56), because sin is death's cause and punishment (?) (Romans 5:12). 2. as in the Greek writings an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden; hence, the proverb πρός κέντρα λακτίζειν, to kick against the goad, i. e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance: Acts 9:5 Rec.; In the agrarian world of the first century, an ox-goad was a hardened wooden rod tipped with iron. Farmers used it to prod unwilling cattle; soldiers occasionally repurposed it as an improvised spear. “Sting” likewise evoked the sharp barb of bees, scorpions, or serpents—small instruments capable of inflicting disproportionate pain and, at times, death. Both pictures highlight piercing, controlling force. Old Testament foreshadowing • Proverbs 26:3 speaks of a “rod for the back of fools,” anticipating the disciplinary aspect of the goad. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 9:5 (Majority text) & Acts 26:14 – Paul hears, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Conviction and conversion (Acts 9:5; 26:14) Saul’s persecution of believers met an immovable Christ. The proverb “kick against the goads” pictures an ox that resists the farmer and bloodies its own legs. The risen Lord’s words expose how self-wounding rebellion is. Paul’s later testimony (Acts 26) shows that divine conviction, though painful, is a mercy leading to repentance. Prophetic judgment (Revelation 9:10) John describes locust-like agents of torment whose “tails with stingers like scorpions … injure people for five months”. Here 2759 conveys the agony of divine wrath during the fifth trumpet. The temporary, non-lethal torment underscores God’s purposeful restraint: judgment intended to awaken repentance before final condemnation (Revelation 9:20–21). Triumph over death (1 Corinthians 15:55–56) Paul taunts the grave: “Where, O death, is your sting?” The resurrection of Jesus has removed the lethal barb. In verse 56 he identifies the barb’s anatomy—“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” The law exposes sin; sin empowers death; but Christ fulfills the law, bears sin, and neutralizes death’s weapon. What once pierced now lies blunted for all who are “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Theological themes • Conviction: God’s truth pierces conscience like a goad (Hebrews 4:12). Pastoral and discipleship application 1. Preaching and teaching should function as a goad—prodding toward holiness, not merely informing (2 Timothy 4:2). Historical parallels Ancient writers (e.g., Plato, Laws 7.808c) spoke of civic laws as “goads” steering citizens. Jewish rabbis called the words of Torah “nails driven” to secure a life of wisdom (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:11 LXX). The New Testament adapts and deepens both streams, revealing Christ Himself as the true Farmer, Judge, and Victor. Summary Strong’s Greek 2759 conveys piercing pain that can either discipline toward life or punish in judgment. In Christ’s hands the goad redirects persecutors into apostles, while His cross and resurrection withdraw the sting from death for every believer. In ministry today the same word summons preachers to pierce consciences with truth, calls sinners to stop wounding themselves by resisting grace, warns of coming wrath, and comforts the redeemed with the certainty that death’s final barb has been forever removed. Englishman's Concordance Acts 9:5 Noun-ANPGRK: σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν KJV: to kick against the pricks. INT: for you against [the] goads to kick Acts 26:14 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 15:55 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:56 N-NNS Revelation 9:10 N-ANP Strong's Greek 2759 |
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