Lexical Summary krités: Judge Original Word: κριτής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance judge. From krino; a judge (genitive case or specially) -- judge. see GREEK krino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom krinó Definition a judge NASB Translation judge (15), judges (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2923: κριτήςκριτής, κριτοῦ, ὁ (κρίνω) (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down), the Sept. chiefly for שֹׁפֵט; a judge; 1. universally, one who passes, or arrogates to himself, judgment on anything: with the genitive of the object, James 4:11; with the genitive of quality (see διαλογισμός, 1), James 2:4; in a forensic sense, of the one who tries and decides a case (cf. δικαστής, at the end): Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:14 L T Tr WH, 58; (xviii. 2); with the genitive of quality (cf. Buttmann, § 132, 10; Winer's Grammar, § 34, 3b.), τῆς ἀδικίας, Luke 18:6; with the genitive of the object (a thing), an arbiter, Acts 18:15; of a Roman procurator administering justice, Acts 24:10; of God passing judgment on the character and deeds of men, and rewarding accordingly, Hebrews 12:23; James 4:12; also of Christ returning to sit in judgment, Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 5:9; in a peculiar sense, of a person whose conduct is made the standard for judging another and convicting him of wrong: with the genitive of the object (a person), Matthew 12:27; Luke 11:19. 2. like the Hebrew שֹׁפֵט, of the leaders or rulers of the Israelites: Acts 13:20 (Judges 2:16, 18; Ruth 1:1; Sir. 10:1f, 24, etc.). Strong’s Greek 2923 appears nineteen times, scattered across the Synoptic Gospels, Acts, the Pauline corpus, Hebrews, and James. The contexts fall into three broad spheres: civil courts and human arbitration, Israel’s historical judges, and the ultimate judgment of God through Christ. Together these uses form a progressive revelation: earthly justice points beyond itself to the righteous Judge who will settle every account. Historical and Cultural Setting In first-century Judaism a κριτής could denote a magistrate of a local synagogue, a municipal official recognized by Rome, or—in popular memory—the heroic “judges” of Israel prior to the monarchy (Acts 13:20). Greco-Roman cities maintained elaborate court systems, so Jesus’ references to “the judge” (Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:58) would have been immediately intelligible. Yet Scripture consistently insists that earthly tribunals are provisional and fallible. Echoes of Israel’s Judges Acts 13:20 recalls “judges until Samuel the prophet—about four hundred fifty years.” The Spirit-inspired summary reminds the Church that even divinely appointed deliverers were temporary shadows of a greater Judge to come. Their cyclical pattern of rescue, relapse, and ruin highlighted Israel’s need for a perfect, final arbiter. Jesus and the Question of Earthly Arbitration When asked to settle an inheritance dispute, Jesus refused: “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?” (Luke 12:14). The Lord distinguished His salvific mission from mundane litigation; yet He warned that unresolved conflicts can escalate to court and imprisonment (Luke 12:58; Matthew 5:25). His teaching elevates reconciliation over litigation, while acknowledging civil authority as a minister of temporal order (compare Romans 13:1–4). The Parable of the Unjust Judge Luke 18:2-6 portrays “a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.” The widowed petitioner’s persistence exposes the judge’s callous heart and throws God’s character into sharp relief. If even a corrupt human magistrate can be moved, “will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?” The account encourages steadfast prayer and trust that divine justice is never indifferent. Human Judges Exposed and Restrained James confronts assemblies tempted to partiality: “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:4). He later warns, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge” (James 4:12) and, “The Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9). The epistle undermines any claim to ultimate moral jurisdiction by sinful humans and calls believers to humility, impartiality, and patient endurance under wrongs. God the Judge of All Hebrews 12:23 lifts the reader to “God the Judge of all.” In Zion’s heavenly assembly the saints find both awe and assurance: the One who judges is also the One who has perfected them through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 12:24). Divine judgment is therefore not arbitrary terror but the righteous evaluation of a holy covenant-keeping God. Christ Appointed to Judge Peter declared that Jesus “is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42). Paul echoed this hope: “The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me the crown of righteousness on that day” (2 Timothy 4:8). Because the crucified and risen Christ has borne sin, His judgment for believers becomes vindication and reward, yet remains fearful for the unrepentant (John 5:22-29). Practical and Pastoral Implications • Reconciliation over Litigation – By urging speedy settlement (Matthew 5:25), Christ directs disciples toward peacemaking that reflects God’s reconciling work. Eschatological Certainty The New Testament closes the circle: every human court foreshadows the tribunal of Christ. Those justified by faith will receive a crown, not condemnation; those who reject the Son will face the unyielding verdict of the One “appointed by God to judge.” Thus Strong’s 2923 ultimately directs the Church’s gaze from the flawed benches of earth to the flawless throne above, summoning all people to repent, believe, and live in the light of the coming judgment. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:25 N-DMSGRK: ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ καὶ ὁ NAS: may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge KJV: thee to the judge, and INT: adversary to the judge and the Matthew 5:25 N-NMS Matthew 12:27 N-NMP Luke 11:19 N-NMP Luke 12:14 N-AMS Luke 12:58 N-AMS Luke 12:58 N-NMS Luke 18:2 N-NMS Luke 18:6 N-NMS Acts 10:42 N-NMS Acts 13:20 N-AMP Acts 18:15 N-NMS Acts 24:10 N-AMS 2 Timothy 4:8 N-NMS Hebrews 12:23 N-DMS James 2:4 N-NMP James 4:11 N-NMS James 4:12 N-NMS James 5:9 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2923 |
    |