3026. léros

Lexical Summary

léros: Nonsense, idle talk

Original Word: λῆρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: léros
Pronunciation: lay'-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (lay'-ros)
KJV: idle tale
NASB: nonsense
Word Origin: [apparently a primary word]

1. foolish or idle talk, trivial chatter
2. an outlandish story
3. twaddle, prattle, or gossip

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

idle tale.

Apparently a primary word; twaddle, i.e. An incredible story -- idle tale.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
silly talk
NASB Translation
nonsense (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3026: λῆρος

λῆρος, ληρου, ὁ, idle talk, nonsense: Luke 24:11. (4 Macc. 5:10; Xenophon, an. 7, 7, 41; Aristophanes, others; plural joined with παιδιαι, Plato, Protag., p. 347 d.; with φλυαριαι, ibid., Hipp., major edition, p. 304 b.)

Topical Lexicon

Occurrence and Immediate Context

The single New Testament appearance of λῆρος is found in Luke 24:11: “But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women” (Berean Standard Bible). Luke records the first eyewitness proclamation of Christ’s resurrection, delivered by the women who had visited the empty tomb. The disciples’ judgment of the report as λῆρος—senseless talk—highlights their initial unbelief and the dramatic reversal that soon followed when the risen Lord appeared to them personally (Luke 24:36-43).

Historical and Cultural Setting

1. Women’s Testimony: In first-century Judaism a woman’s legal testimony was often discounted. This cultural backdrop explains why the apostles were predisposed to skepticism when the women returned with astonishing news (compare John 20:2).
2. Medical Connotations: Classical Greek authors used λῆρος for delirious speech caused by fever or madness. Luke the physician (Colossians 4:14) may be deliberately employing a medical term familiar to him, underscoring how irrational the resurrection sounded to natural reasoning.
3. Greco-Roman Resonance: In broader Hellenistic literature the word signified babble that defied logic. Luke plays on that sense to contrast natural incredulity with the divine reality of the empty tomb.

Theological Significance

1. Proof of Resurrection Authenticity: The disciples’ initial dismissal strengthens the historical case for the resurrection. Invented legends typically present founding heroes’ followers as immediately convinced; the Gospel account candidly records doubt that was overcome only by incontrovertible evidence (Acts 1:3).
2. Nature of Saving Faith: λῆρος illustrates the gulf between human perception and God’s revelation. Until the Spirit opened their minds (Luke 24:45) the disciples could not harmonize Jesus’ death with His promises (Luke 9:22). Faith comes not by natural deduction but by divine illumination (1 Corinthians 2:14).
3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The women’s report—though deemed nonsense—was the very fulfillment of Jesus’ repeated predictions (Luke 18:33). Scripture’s coherence shines through human misapprehension.

Related Biblical Themes

• Unbelief among close hearers: Mark 6:6; John 7:5.
• “Idle talk” that distracts from sound doctrine: 1 Timothy 1:6; Titus 1:10.
• Folly versus wisdom: Proverbs 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:18.

In each case, what appears foolish or trivial to the natural mind is, in fact, the wisdom and power of God.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Encourage believers to recognize that initial skepticism is common even among sincere disciples; patience and clear gospel proclamation remain essential.
• Equip congregations to handle contemporary charges of “nonsense” against core doctrines by rooting responses in eyewitness testimony and fulfilled prophecy (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
• Highlight the vital role of women in gospel witness. The resurrection narratives affirm their testimony and call the church to honor every Spirit-empowered voice (Acts 2:17-18).
• Warn against dismissing inconvenient truths. Whenever the Word confronts cultural assumptions, believers must resist labeling it λῆρος and instead submit to Scriptural authority.

Summary

λῆρος captures the disciples’ momentary view that resurrection news was incoherent babble. Luke’s choice of this vivid term magnifies the authenticity of their later conviction, spotlights the reliability of women’s testimony, and calls each generation to move from skeptical dismissal to joyful faith in the risen Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

ληρος λήρος λῆρος ληστήριον leros lêros lēros lē̂ros

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 24:11 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα
NAS: appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe
KJV: them as idle tales, and they believed
INT: them like idle talk the words

Strong's Greek 3026
1 Occurrence

λῆρος — 1 Occ.