Lexical Summary leukos: White Original Word: λευκός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance white. From luke ("light"); white -- white. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. adjective Definition bright, white NASB Translation white (25). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3022: λευκόςλευκός, λευκή, λευκόν (λεύσσω to see, behold, look at; akin to Latinluceo, German leuchten; cf. Curtius, p. 113 and § 87; (Vanicek, p. 817)), the Sept. for לָבָן: 1. light, bright, brilliant: τά ἱμάτια ... λευκά ὡς τό φῶς, Matthew 17:2; especially bright or brilliant from whiteness, (dazzling) white: spoken of the garments of angels, and of those exalted to the splendor of the heavenly state, Mark 16:5; Luke 9:29; Acts 1:10; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 7:9, 13; Revelation 19:14 (shining or white garments were worn on festive and state occasions, Ecclesiastes 9:8; cf. Heindorf on Horace sat. 2, 2, 61); with ὡσεί or ὡς ὁ χιών added: Mark 9:3 R L; Matthew 28:3 (ἵπποι λευκοτεροι χιόνος, Homer, Iliad 10, 437); ἐν λευκοῖς namely, ἱματίοις (added in Revelation 3:5; Revelation 4:4), John 20:12; Revelation 3:4; cf. Winers Grammar, 591 (550); (Buttmann, 82 (72)); used of white garments as the sign of innocence and purity of soul, Revelation 3:18; of the heavenly throne, Revelation 20:11. 2. (dead) white: Matthew 5:36 (opposed to μέλας); Revelation 1:14; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 14:14; Revelation 19:11; spoken of the whitening color of ripening grain, John 4:35. Throughout the canon the color white functions as a visual shorthand for purity, righteousness, victory, joy, light, and heavenly glory. Each New Testament use of λευκός reinforces one or more of these ideas, uniting historical narrative, prophetic vision, and pastoral exhortation into a single theological thread. Old Testament Foundations The New Testament writers were steeped in imagery that had already been shaped by the Hebrew Scriptures: brilliant manna (Exodus 16:31), wool-white cleansing (Isaiah 1:18), the Ancient of Days whose “hair was like pure wool” (Daniel 7:9), and priestly garments of holiness (Exodus 28:39). Against this backdrop every later mention of white evokes thoughts of God’s moral perfection and the purity He requires of His people. Manifestation of Divine Glory—The Transfiguration Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:3 employ the color to describe the Lord’s transfigured garments: “His clothes became radiantly white—whiter than any launderer on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:3). Luke 9:29 echoes the same phenomenon. Here whiteness is not mere cleanliness but the outward bursting of the Son’s intrinsic glory, previewing His resurrection splendor and validating His identity as the Holy One. Heavenly Messengers and Witnesses White clothing marks angelic appearances. At the resurrection “two angels in white” sit where Jesus’ body had been (John 20:12). At the ascension of Acts 1:10, “two men dressed in white” declare His certain return. Matthew 28:3 presents the angel whose “appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” These scenes underline white as the natural attire of heaven’s messengers, testifying to the truthfulness and holiness of their words. Clothing of the Overcomers Seven times in Revelation redeemed believers are pictured in white garments. White apparel therefore signifies justification accomplished by Christ and the practical holiness expected of the saints. Christ the Rider on the White Horse Revelation 6:2 describes the first seal’s rider on a white horse, a contested figure who imitates victory; but Revelation 19:11 presents the genuine Conqueror: “Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True.” Christ’s own horse and the white horses of His following army highlight triumphant righteousness. Harvest Readiness—John 4:35 Jesus applies whiteness to ripened grain: “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.” The color here depicts the urgency of evangelism; souls are ready, and reapers must move swiftly. Eschatological Thrones and Judgment Revelation 20:11 speaks of “a great white throne” before which earth and sky flee. The whiteness of the throne underscores the spotless justice of the final judgment, assuring believers that every verdict will be perfectly righteous. Admonition to Spiritual Purchase—Revelation 3:18 To the self-deceived church of Laodicea the risen Christ counsels, “Buy from Me… white garments, so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed.” Holiness cannot be fabricated; it is obtained only through union with Christ. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Holiness: Believers are called to “keep their garments white” (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:8) through ongoing repentance and obedience. In every occurrence λευκός points to the brilliance of divine purity and the destiny of God’s redeemed people. The word calls the church to worship, witness, and walk in garments made white by the blood of the Lamb. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:36 Adj-AFSGRK: μίαν τρίχα λευκὴν ποιῆσαι ἢ NAS: one hair white or black. KJV: one hair white or black. INT: one hair white to make or Matthew 17:2 Adj-NNP Matthew 28:3 Adj-NNS Mark 9:3 Adj-NNP Mark 16:5 Adj-AFS Luke 9:29 Adj-NMS John 4:35 Adj-NFP John 20:12 Adj-DNP Acts 1:10 Adj-DFP Revelation 1:14 Adj-NFP Revelation 1:14 Adj-NNS Revelation 2:17 Adj-AFS Revelation 3:4 Adj-DNP Revelation 3:5 Adj-DNP Revelation 3:18 Adj-ANP Revelation 4:4 Adj-DNP Revelation 6:2 Adj-NMS Revelation 6:11 Adj-NFS Revelation 7:9 Adj-AFP Revelation 7:13 Adj-AFP Revelation 14:14 Adj-NFS Revelation 19:11 Adj-NMS Revelation 19:14 Adj-DMP Revelation 19:14 Adj-ANS Revelation 20:11 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 3022 |
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