Lexical Summary kokkinos: Scarlet, crimson Original Word: κοκκίνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scarlet, crimsonFrom kokkos (from the kernel-shape of the insect); crimson-colored -- scarlet (colour, coloured). see GREEK kokkos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kokkos Definition scarlet NASB Translation scarlet (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2847: κόκκινοςκόκκινος, κοκκινη, κόκκινον (from κόκκος a kernel, the grain or berry of the ilex coccifera; these berries are the clusters of eggs of a female insect, the kermes ((cf. English carmine, crimson)), and when collected and pulverized produce a red which was used in dyeing, Pliny, h. n. 9, 41, 65; 16, 8, 12; 24, 4), crimson, scarlet-colored: Matthew 27:28; Hebrews 9:19; Revelation 17:3. neuter as a substantive equivalent to scarlet cloth or clothing: Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:12, 16 (Genesis 38:28; Exodus 25:4; Leviticus 14:4, 6; Joshua 2:18; 2 Samuel 1:24; 2 Chronicles 2:7, 14; Plutarch, Fab. 15; φόρειν κόκκινα, scarlet robes, Epictetus diss. 4, 11, 34; ἐν κοκκινοις περιπατεῖν, 3, 22, 10). Cf. Winers RWB under the word Carmesin; Roskoff in Schenkel i., p. 501f; Kamphausen in Riehm, p. 220; (B. D. under the word Colors, II. 3). Topical Lexicon Definition in Context Designates a vivid, blood-red hue associated with costly cloth, dye, or wool. Because the shade was produced from an exotic source and required skilled artisanship, it became a marker of wealth, authority, and at times sin’s brazen visibility. Principal New Testament Occurrences • Matthew 27:28 – Roman soldiers mock the Lord Jesus by draping Him in “a scarlet robe,” parodying royal investiture while unknowingly presenting the true King. Old Testament Continuity The New Testament use echoes extensive Hebrew Bible imagery: scarlet thread in the Passover window (Joshua 2), scarlet yarn in the Tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26), and Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” The continuity affirms Scripture’s unified message: scarlet may signify sin, but also the price and provision for cleansing. Historical Background • Source – The dye was extracted from the dried bodies of the kermes insect harvested on oak trees around the Mediterranean. Theological Themes 1. Royalty and Mockery – In Matthew 27 the scarlet robe both ridicules and paradoxically affirms Christ’s kingship. The color’s majesty cannot disguise human scorn, but God uses the scene to display substitutionary atonement. Ministry Significance • Preaching – Use the scarlet robe of Matthew 27 to connect Christ’s humiliation with His exaltation (Philippians 2:8-11). Practical Applications 1. Examine personal attitudes toward luxury: does scarlet symbolize stewardship or self-indulgence? Related Biblical Images Purple (wealth and rulership), hyssop (purification), crimson worm (Psalm 22:6 prophetic link), white garments (victory and purity), blood (atonement). Summary Scarlet threads through Scripture from Tabernacle curtains to Babylon’s downfall. Wherever it appears, the Spirit employs the same color to reveal the costliness of sin, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, the vanity of worldly pomp, and the certainty of coming judgment. Those clothed in the scarlet‐purchased righteousness of the Lamb will stand secure when every counterfeit glory fades. Forms and Transliterations κόκκινα κοκκινην κοκκίνην κοκκινον κόκκινον κοκκινου κοκκίνου κοκκίνω kokkinen kokkinēn kokkínen kokkínēn kokkinon kókkinon kokkinou kokkínouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:28 Adj-AFSGRK: αὐτὸν χλαμύδα κοκκίνην περιέθηκαν αὐτῷ NAS: Him and put a scarlet robe KJV: and put on him a scarlet robe. INT: him a robe scarlet they put around him Hebrews 9:19 Adj-GNS Revelation 17:3 Adj-ANS Revelation 17:4 Adj-ANS Revelation 18:12 Adj-GNS Revelation 18:16 Adj-ANS Strong's Greek 2847 |