304. anabathmos
Lexical Summary
anabathmos: Step, ascent, degree

Original Word: ἀναβαθμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: anabathmos
Pronunciation: an-ab-ath-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ab-ath-mos')
KJV: stairs
NASB: stairs
Word Origin: [from G305 (ἀναβαίνω - went)]

1. a stairway

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
stairs.

From anabaino (compare bathmos); a stairway -- stairs.

see GREEK anabaino

see GREEK bathmos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from anabainó and bathmos (a step)
Definition
a going up, an ascent
NASB Translation
stairs (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 304: ἀναβαθμός

ἀναβαθμός, (οῦ, (βαθμός, and this from βαίνω);

1. an ascent.

2. a means of going up, a flight of steps, a stair: Acts 21:35, 40. Examples from Greek writings in Lob. ad Phryn., p. 324f

Topical Lexicon
Context in Acts

Acts 21:35–40 records Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem. As the riotous crowd surges, Roman soldiers carry the apostle “to the steps.” Luke twice employs the term, depicting the stone staircase that ascended from the Temple’s outer court to the adjoining Barracks (the Antonia Fortress). From this elevated place Paul requests permission to speak, and—standing on the steps—delivers his defense in Acts 22:1–21. The stairway thus becomes the stage on which God provides Paul both protection and a pulpit.

Historical Background

Herod the Great rebuilt the Antonia Fortress at the northwest corner of the Temple platform. A flight of wide steps linked the fortress courtyard to the Court of the Gentiles, allowing rapid troop deployment. Josephus describes the tower’s vantage point over Temple activity (Jewish War 5.238). The same engineering, intended by Rome to suppress disorder, is used by the Lord to advance the gospel: the military architecture situates Paul above the tumult, guaranteeing that the crowd can hear him in their own language.

Old Testament Resonance

The Septuagint titles Psalms 120–134 as “Odes of Ascents,” employing the same Greek root found in Acts 21. While the New Testament occurrences are concrete and spatial, the Psalms celebrate spiritual ascent—pilgrims moving toward Zion and fellowship with God. Luke’s narrative echoes that pilgrimage motif: Paul, the faithful pilgrim-apostle, ascends physical steps to bear witness, even as he proceeds on his divinely appointed journey to Rome (Acts 23:11).

Theological Significance

1. Providential Sovereignty

The identical stairway that could have led to brutal confinement places Paul in position to proclaim the resurrection. God turns instruments of control into avenues for testimony, illustrating Genesis 50:20 in action.

2. Protection Coupled with Proclamation

“When Paul reached the steps, the soldiers had to carry him because of the violence of the mob” (Acts 21:35). The same steps that shield Paul from harm amplify his voice to the hostile assembly. Safety and witness are not mutually exclusive; the Lord often supplies the first to secure the second.

3. Symbolic Ascent

Throughout Scripture elevation frequently accompanies revelation (Exodus 19, Matthew 5). Paul’s ascent anticipates the climactic declaration of Acts: the gospel will rise above Jewish opposition and Gentile misunderstanding alike, progressing to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Ministry Implications

• Strategic Use of Circumstance

Believers should view physical settings and unexpected interruptions as potential platforms for the gospel. Paul petitions the commander, then leverages his location to declare Christ.

• Courage under Hostility

The staircase scene encourages steadfastness. Even when surrounded by accusation, the believer can, by grace, stand firm and speak truth.

• Respectful Engagement

Addressing the crowd in “the Hebrew language” (Acts 21:40), Paul models sensitivity to audience and culture while remaining uncompromising in message.

Practical Reflection

Modern followers may not stand on Herodian steps, but every workplace hallway, courtroom dock, or hospital corridor can function similarly. Physical elevations—literal or metaphorical—provide divine appointments for testimony. Like Paul, Christians are called to seize such moments, trusting that Christ’s authority over history ensures that even hostile structures can serve redemptive purposes.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 304, though appearing only twice, frames a decisive moment in Acts. A mundane staircase becomes the means by which God protects His servant, fulfills prophetic direction, and offers Jerusalem one more invitation to believe. The narrative joins the wider biblical theme of ascent: God lifts His people to proclaim His salvation and draws listeners upward toward the hope found in His Son.

Forms and Transliterations
αναβαθμοί αναβαθμοίς αναβαθμους αναβαθμούς αναβάθμους ἀναβαθμούς αναβαθμων αναβαθμών αναβάθμων ἀναβαθμῶν anabathmon anabathmôn anabathmōn anabathmō̂n anabathmous anabathmoús
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 21:35 N-AMP
GRK: ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀναβαθμούς συνέβη βαστάζεσθαι
NAS: he got to the stairs, he was carried
KJV: upon the stairs, so it was,
INT: to the stairs it happened was carried

Acts 21:40 N-GMP
GRK: ἐπὶ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν κατέσεισεν τῇ
NAS: standing on the stairs, motioned
KJV: on the stairs, and beckoned
INT: on the stairs made a sign with the

Strong's Greek 304
2 Occurrences


ἀναβαθμῶν — 1 Occ.
ἀναβαθμούς — 1 Occ.

303
Top of Page
Top of Page