Lexical Summary lutroó: To redeem, to ransom, to liberate Original Word: λυτρόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance redeem. From lutron; to ransom (literally or figuratively) -- redeem. see GREEK lutron HELPS Word-studies 3084 lytróō (cognate with 3083/lytron, "a ransom-price") – properly, to release (set free) by paying the full ransom; "to release, on receipt of ransom" (Vine); (figuratively) to restore "something back, into the possession of its rightful owner – i.e. rescuing from the power and possession of an alien possessor" (Wm. Barclay). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom luó Definition to release by paying a ransom, to redeem NASB Translation redeem (2), redeemed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3084: λυτρόωλυτρόω, λύτρῳ: passive, 1 aorist ἐλυτρωθην; middle, present infinitive λυτροῦσθαι; 1 aorist subjunctive 3 person singular λυτρώσηται; (λύτρον, which see); the Sept. often for גָּאַל and פָּדָה; 1. to release on receipt of ransom: Plato, Theact., p. 165 e.; Diodorus 19, 73; the Sept., Numbers 18:15, 17. 2. to redeem, liberate by payment of ransom ((Demosthenes, others)), generally expressed by the middle; universally, to liberate: τινα ἀργυρίῳ, and likewise ἐκ with the genitive of the thing; passive ἐκ τῆς ματαίας ἀναστροφῆς, 1 Peter 1:18; middle "to cause to be released to oneself (cf. Winers Grammar, 254 (238)) by payment of the ransom, i. e. to redeem; universally, to deliver": in the Jewish theocratic sense, τόν Ἰσραήλ, viz. from evils of every kind, external and internal, Luke 24:21; ἀπό πάσης ἀνομίας, Titus 2:14 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 6 a.); τινα ἐκ, spoken of God, Deuteronomy 13:5; 2 Samuel 7:23; Hosea 13:14. The verb conveys the decisive act of setting someone free by paying a price. In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the term evoked the manumission of slaves, release of prisoners of war, or rescue from mortal peril. Scripture employs the same marketplace vocabulary to picture humanity’s bondage to sin, death, and the devil, highlighting that freedom is never gratis: it is secured through costly substitution. Old Testament Foundations The New Testament use of this word stands on the covenantal bedrock of Israel’s story. Yahweh “redeemed” His people from Egypt (Exodus 6:6), purchased them as His “treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:8), and provided the go’el, the kinsman-redeemer, to restore lost inheritance (Leviticus 25:25). These earlier acts were historical and typological, anticipating a climactic deliverance that would reach beyond ethnic Israel to embrace all nations. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 24:21 captures the disciples’ dashed hopes: “But we were hoping that it was He who would redeem Israel.” Their words reveal an expectation of national emancipation; the Resurrection soon broadens that hope to a universal, spiritual liberation. Christological Significance The three texts unite around the self-offering of Jesus Messiah. He is simultaneously the Redeemer and the ransom. By His voluntary death, He satisfies divine justice, breaks the power of sin, and inaugurates the new covenant. The participial form in Titus (“to redeem”) underscores intentionality; the passive in 1 Peter (“you were redeemed”) underscores accomplished fact; the infinitive in Luke (“to redeem”) underscores anticipated hope fulfilled in the resurrection. Together they trace a narrative arc from longing, through accomplishment, to proclamation. Ethical and Ecclesial Implications Redemption births a people “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). Liberation from lawlessness issues in obedience empowered by grace. The church, therefore, embodies a redeemed identity—holy conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16), mutual service, and missionary proclamation. Because the price paid was infinite, believers are summoned to live as bond-servants of Christ rather than slaves of sin (Romans 6:18). Pastoral and Liturgical Uses Preaching: The term frames the gospel as both legal deliverance and relational adoption. Counseling: Believers battling guilt or addictive sin are reminded they belong to Christ, not to past bondage. Worship: Hymns of the redeemed echo Revelation’s doxology, “for You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe” (Revelation 5:9). Sacraments: The Lord’s Supper visibly proclaims the ransom price until He comes. Eschatological Dimension The accomplished redemption inaugurates, but does not exhaust, God’s saving plan. Paul speaks of the “redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23), pointing to the final liberation of creation itself. Luke 24 moves from crushed expectation to resurrected certainty, assuring believers that the Redeemer who paid the price will also consummate His kingdom. Englishman's Concordance Luke 24:21 V-PNMGRK: ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ NAS: that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. KJV: which should have redeemed Israel: INT: who is about to redeem Israel Titus 2:14 V-ASM-3S 1 Peter 1:18 V-AIP-2P Strong's Greek 3084 |
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