2923. krités
Lexical Summary
krités: Judge

Original Word: κριτής
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: krités
Pronunciation: kree-TACE
Phonetic Spelling: (kree-tace')
KJV: judge
NASB: judge, judges
Word Origin: [from G2919 (κρίνω - judge)]

1. a judge (genitive case or specially)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
judge.

From krino; a judge (genitive case or specially) -- judge.

see GREEK krino

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from krinó
Definition
a judge
NASB Translation
judge (15), judges (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2923: κριτής

κριτής, κριτοῦ, (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.).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of New Testament Distribution

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.
• Impartial Ministry – Leaders must avoid favoritism; partiality compromises Gospel witness (James 2:1-9).
• Hope amid Injustice – Believers suffering wrongful treatment, like the widow of Luke 18, entrust themselves to the faithful Creator, assured that He will set all things right.
• Sobriety in Speech – Judging motives or maligning brethren usurps God’s prerogative and invites discipline (James 4:11-12).
• Motivation for Holiness – The imminent appearance of the righteous Judge inspires perseverance and purity (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 John 3:2-3).

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.

Forms and Transliterations
κριται κριταί κριταὶ κρίται κριταίς κριτας κριτάς κριτὰς κριτη κριτή κριτῇ κριτην κριτήν κριτὴν κριτης κριτής κριτὴς κριτού κριτών kritai kritaì kritas kritàs krite kritē kritêi kritē̂i kriten kritēn kritḗn kritḕn krites kritēs kritḗs kritḕs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 5:25 N-DMS
GRK: 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
GRK: καὶ ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ
NAS: you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer,
KJV: and the judge deliver
INT: and the judge to the officer

Matthew 12:27 N-NMP
GRK: τοῦτο αὐτοὶ κριταὶ ἔσονται ὑμῶν
NAS: reason they will be your judges.
KJV: shall be your judges.
INT: this they judges will be of you

Luke 11:19 N-NMP
GRK: αὐτοὶ ὑμῶν κριταὶ ἔσονται
NAS: them out? So they will be your judges.
KJV: be your judges.
INT: they of you judges will be

Luke 12:14 N-AMS
GRK: με κατέστησεν κριτὴν ἢ μεριστὴν
NAS: who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator
INT: me appointed a judge or arbitrator

Luke 12:58 N-AMS
GRK: πρὸς τὸν κριτήν καὶ ὁ
NAS: you before the judge, and the judge
KJV: thee to the judge, and the judge
INT: to the judge and the

Luke 12:58 N-NMS
GRK: καὶ ὁ κριτής σε παραδώσει
NAS: the judge, and the judge turn you over
KJV: the judge, and the judge deliver thee
INT: and the judge you should deliver

Luke 18:2 N-NMS
GRK: λέγων Κριτής τις ἦν
NAS: there was a judge who did not fear
KJV: city a judge, which feared not
INT: saying A judge certain there was

Luke 18:6 N-NMS
GRK: τί ὁ κριτὴς τῆς ἀδικίας
NAS: what the unrighteous judge said;
KJV: what the unjust judge saith.
INT: what the judge unrighteous

Acts 10:42 N-NMS
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ κριτὴς ζώντων καὶ
NAS: by God as Judge of the living
KJV: of God [to be] the Judge of quick and
INT: God judge of living and

Acts 13:20 N-AMP
GRK: ταῦτα ἔδωκεν κριτὰς ἕως Σαμουὴλ
NAS: He gave [them] judges until
KJV: he gave [unto them] judges about
INT: these things he gave judges until Samuel

Acts 18:15 N-NMS
GRK: ὄψεσθε αὐτοί κριτὴς ἐγὼ τούτων
NAS: unwilling to be a judge of these
KJV: will be no judge of such [matters].
INT: you will see [to it] yourselves for a judge I of these things

Acts 24:10 N-AMS
GRK: ὄντα σε κριτὴν τῷ ἔθνει
NAS: you have been a judge to this
KJV: many years a judge unto this nation,
INT: as being you judge to the nation

2 Timothy 4:8 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δίκαιος κριτής οὐ μόνον
NAS: the righteous Judge, will award
KJV: the righteous judge, shall give
INT: the righteous judge not only

Hebrews 12:23 N-DMS
GRK: οὐρανοῖς καὶ κριτῇ θεῷ πάντων
NAS: and to God, the Judge of all,
KJV: and to God the Judge of all, and
INT: [the] heavens and to [the] judge God of all

James 2:4 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν
NAS: and become judges with evil
KJV: are become judges of evil
INT: and became judges [having] thoughts evil

James 4:11 N-NMS
GRK: νόμου ἀλλὰ κριτής
NAS: of the law but a judge [of it].
KJV: of the law, but a judge.
INT: of [the] law but a judge

James 4:12 N-NMS
GRK: νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής ὁ δυνάμενος
NAS: Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able
INT: lawgiver and judge who is able

James 5:9 N-NMS
GRK: ἰδοὺ ὁ κριτὴς πρὸ τῶν
NAS: behold, the Judge is standing
KJV: behold, the judge standeth
INT: Behold the judge before the

Strong's Greek 2923
19 Occurrences


κριταὶ — 3 Occ.
κριτὰς — 1 Occ.
κριτῇ — 2 Occ.
κριτὴν — 3 Occ.
κριτὴς — 10 Occ.

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