Lexical Summary kómopolis: Town, Market Town Original Word: κωμόπολις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance town, unwalled cityFrom kome and polis; an unwalled city -- town. see GREEK kome see GREEK polis HELPS Word-studies 2969 kōmópolis (from 2968 /kṓmē, "village, town" and 4172 /pólis, "a city") – a city with limited (legal) status. A kōmē ("village, unwalled town") was hardly a "city" as we know it. It's status (constitution) really amounted to only a village (Souter). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kómé and polis Definition a country town NASB Translation towns (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2969: κωμόπολιςκωμόπολις, κωμοπολεως, ἡ, a village approximating in size and number of inhabitants to a city, a village-city, a town (German Marktflecken): Mark 1:38. (Strabo; (Joshua 18:28 Aq. Theod. (Field)); often in the Byzantine writings of the middle ages.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Sphere of Meaning The term κωμόπολις denotes a settlement positioned between a mere village (κώμη) and a full-fledged city (πόλις). In Roman provincial parlance it described a market-center serving surrounding hamlets, usually unwalled, with modest civic structures, a synagogue, and seasonal commerce. The combination of rural intimacy and urban function makes the word uniquely suited to portray places frequently bypassed by official attention yet vital to ordinary life. Biblical Occurrence Mark 1:38 records the word’s sole appearance in the Greek New Testament. After an intense evening of healing at Capernaum, Jesus replies to His disciples: “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so that I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come” (Berean Standard Bible). κωμοπόλεις (plural accusative) identifies the next ministry targets—settlements scattered through Galilee that lay outside the larger urban centers of Sepphoris or Tiberias. Within Mark’s narrative the vocabulary underscores Christ’s resolve to reach every stratum of society, refusing to concentrate on crowds alone but moving deliberately into less celebrated locales. Greco-Roman Context In first-century Galilee a κωμόπολις might house 300–1,000 residents, possess a weekly market, and sit along secondary Roman roads. Local councils managed taxation, security, and agricultural trade, but ultimate authority rested with regional tetrarchs. Such settings formed the backbone of Galilean economy, exporting grain, olives, and fish to coastal ports. Jesus’ itinerant band could walk from one κωμόπολις to another within hours, making these towns accessible stages for teaching and healing. Septuagint Background The translators of the Septuagint employ κωμόπολις chiefly for unwalled settlements (for example, Esther 9:19) distinguishing them from fortified πόλεις. This precedent reinforces the notion of openness and vulnerability—qualities that mirror the spiritual readiness of many who hear Christ gladly outside Jerusalem’s entrenched power structures. Jesus’ Ministry Strategy Mark places the verse at the beginning of the Galilean ministry, immediately after authority over demons and disease has been demonstrated. By turning to κωμοπόλεις, Jesus reveals a kingdom priority: breadth before fame. He proclaims the same message of repentance and faith (Mark 1:15) whether in synagogue, shoreline, or dusty backstreet. The choice of word therefore highlights: Missional Implications for the Church 1. Rural and small-town evangelism remains a biblical imperative; demographic size does not determine gospel value. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Shepherding in a κωμόπολις context necessitates visibility and availability; pastors are known personally by most residents, paralleling Jesus’ intimate contact with villagers. Theological Reflections The singular use of κωμόπολις reflects the unrepeatable but representative moment when the Incarnate Son intentionally directed His mission to the margins. It affirms the Old Testament motif that God “raises the needy from the ash heap” (Psalm 113:7) and anticipates the apostolic mandate to take the message “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Cities may symbolize cultural influence, yet Scripture maintains a seamless concern for the overlooked outskirts, declaring that redemption encompasses both metropolis and market-village. Related Terms and Distinctions κώμη – hamlet or farm village lacking civic infrastructure. πόλις – fortified city with walls, magistrates, and formal status. ἀγροί – countryside fields surrounding κωμοπόλεις; often grouped with towns in travel itineraries (Mark 6:36). The gradation portrays a continuum of habitation to which the gospel spreads unhindered. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2969, though appearing only once, crystallizes a theme woven throughout Scripture: God’s saving word intentionally bridges the distance between centers of power and humble communities. Jesus’ purposeful journey into the κωμοπόλεις of Galilee provides both historical insight and enduring directive—no location is too insignificant for divine visitation, and every follower of Christ is called to carry that same inclusive urgency into the small towns of their own generation. Forms and Transliterations κωμοπολεις κωμοπόλεις komopoleis komopóleis kōmopoleis kōmopóleisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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