2892. koustódia

Lexicon

koustódia: Guard, Watch

Original Word: κουστωδία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: koustódia
Pronunciation: koos-to-DEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (koos-to-dee'-ah)
Definition: Guard, Watch
Meaning: a guard, watch.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

guard, sentry

Of Latin origin; "custody", i.e. A Roman sentry -- watch.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
a guard
NASB Translation
guard (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2892: κουστωδία

κουστωδία, κουστωδίας (Buttmann, 17 (16)), ἡ (a Latin word), guard: used of the Roman soldiers guarding the sepulchre of Christ, Matthew 27:65; Matthew 28:11. (Ev. Nic c. 13.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from Latin "custodia," meaning "guard" or "watch."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek term κουστωδία, as it is a concept more closely associated with Roman military practices. However, the idea of a guard or watch can be related to Hebrew terms such as שָׁמַר (shamar, Strong's H8104), which means "to keep, guard, observe, give heed."

Usage: The term is used in the New Testament to refer to the Roman guard placed at the tomb of Jesus to prevent His disciples from stealing His body.

Context: The Greek term "κουστωδία" (koustōdia) appears in the New Testament in the context of the events following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Specifically, it is used in the Gospel of Matthew to describe the Roman guard stationed at Jesus' tomb. This was done at the request of the Jewish leaders who were concerned that Jesus' disciples might steal His body and claim that He had risen from the dead.

In Matthew 27:65-66 (BSB), Pilate responds to the request by saying, "You have a guard; go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." The passage continues, "So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard (κουστωδία)." This guard was meant to ensure that the body of Jesus remained in the tomb, thus preventing any potential claims of resurrection.

The presence of the κουστωδία is significant in the narrative of the resurrection, as it underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' rising from the dead. Despite the precautions taken by the authorities, the tomb was found empty on the third day, as described in Matthew 28:2-4 (BSB): "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men."

The use of κουστωδία highlights the tension between human efforts to control and divine intervention, emphasizing the power of God in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

κουστωδιαν κουστωδίαν κουστωδιας κουστωδίας koustodian koustodían koustōdian koustōdían koustodias koustodías koustōdias koustōdías

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 27:65 N-AFS
GRK: Πιλᾶτος Ἔχετε κουστωδίαν ὑπάγετε ἀσφαλίσασθε
NAS: to them, You have a guard; go,
KJV: Ye have a watch: go your way,
INT: Pilate You have a guard Go make [it as] secure

Matthew 27:66 N-GFS
GRK: μετὰ τῆς κουστωδίας
NAS: secure, and along with the guard they set a seal
KJV: the stone, and setting a watch.
INT: with the guard

Matthew 28:11 N-GFS
GRK: τινες τῆς κουστωδίας ἐλθόντες εἰς
NAS: some of the guard came
KJV: behold, some of the watch came into
INT: some of the guard having gone into

Strong's Greek 2892
3 Occurrences

κουστωδίαν — 1 Occ.
κουστωδίας — 2 Occ.