Lexical Summary martus: Witness, martyr Original Word: μάρτυς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance martyr, witness. Of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr" -- martyr, record, witness. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a witness NASB Translation witness (12), witnesses (23). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3144: μάρτυρμάρτυρ, μάρτυρός, ὁ, see μάρτυς. STRONGS NT 3144: μάρτυςμάρτυς (Aeolic μάρτυρ, a form not found in the N. T.; (etymologically one who is mindful, heeds; probably allied with Latinmemor, cf. Vanicek, p. 1201; Curtius, § 466)), μάρτυρός, accusative μάρτυρα, ὁ; plural μάρτυρες, dative plural μάρτυσι; the Sept. for עֵד; (Hesiod, Simonides, Theognis, others); a witness (one who avers, or can aver, what he himself has seen or heard or knows by any other means); a. in a legal sense: Matthew 18:16; Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:63; Acts 6:13; Acts 7:58; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28. b. in an historical sense: Acts 10:41; 1 Timothy 6:12; (2 Timothy 2:2); one who is a spectator of anything, e. g. of a contest, Hebrews 12:1; with a genitive of the object, Luke 24:48; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32 G L T Tr WH; Acts 10:39; Acts 26:16; 1 Peter 5:1; with a genitive of the possessor 'one who testifies for one', Acts 1:8 L T Tr WH; c. in an ethical sense those are called μάρτυρες Ἰησοῦ, who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death (cf B. D. American edition and Dict. of Chris. Antiq. under the word At its heart, 3144 points to a person who testifies to what he or she has seen or knows. In Scripture the role is never neutral; a witness is accountable before God to state the truth and, if necessary, to seal that testimony with life itself. Legal and Covenant Framework The Mosaic requirement of “two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15) shapes New Testament practice. Jesus applies the standard to church discipline in Matthew 18:16; Paul invokes it for judicial fairness in 1 Timothy 5:19 and for apostolic integrity in 2 Corinthians 13:1. Thus, 3144 sustains a juridical function that safeguards both justice and fellowship. Apostolic Witness to the Resurrection Acts anchors the word in resurrection proclamation. The apostles are chosen “to become a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:22). This mandate is Spirit-empowered: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). Peter repeatedly appeals to eyewitness status—Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39, 41. Paul’s commission echoes the same pattern: “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16). From Witness to Martyrdom Stephen is called “Your witness” when his blood is shed (Acts 22:20). The semantic slide from testimony to death underlines that fidelity may demand ultimate sacrifice. Revelation develops this theme: Jesus is “the faithful Witness” (Revelation 1:5), Antipas is “My faithful witness, who was killed among you” (Revelation 2:13), and the harlot Babylon is “drunk with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6). The term therefore carries both courtroom clarity and cost-of-discipleship depth. God Himself as Witness Appeals to the divine Witness underscore moral seriousness. “God, whom I serve with my spirit…is my witness” (Romans 1:9). Paul calls God as witness to his pastoral sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 10; Philippians 1:8). Such oaths reinforce the unbreakable link between earthly testimony and heavenly scrutiny. Personal and Pastoral Dimensions Peter, writing to elders, identifies himself as “a witness of the sufferings of Christ” (1 Peter 5:1), blending historical memory with pastoral exhortation. Timothy is charged to “fight the good fight of the faith…in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12), and to entrust teaching “to faithful men who will be competent to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). The word thus nourishes trans-generational discipleship. Corporate Cloud of Witnesses Hebrews 12:1 speaks of “so great a cloud of witnesses” encircling believers. These prior testifiers—named in Hebrews 11—stand not merely as spectators but as proof that persevering faith is possible. Their collective voice urges endurance. Eschatological Two Witnesses Revelation 11:3 foretells two prophetic witnesses who testify amid hostility for 1,260 days. Their ministry exemplifies end-time fidelity under divine protection until their appointed task concludes, demonstrating that witness remains central to God’s redemptive timeline. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Truth-telling: Every believer, having encountered Christ, bears a responsibility to speak truth in word and deed. Key References for Study Matthew 18:16; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32; Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 5:1; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 17:6. Summary Strong’s 3144 frames Christian identity and mission. It binds legal integrity, historical fact, personal devotion, and eschatological hope into a single call: bear truthful, Spirit-empowered testimony to Jesus Christ—whatever the cost—until the world sees Him whom the witnesses proclaim. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 18:16 N-GMPGRK: στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν NAS: OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT KJV: or three witnesses every word INT: [the] testimony of two witnesses or of three Matthew 26:65 N-GMP Mark 14:63 N-GMP Luke 11:48 N-NMP Luke 24:48 N-NMP Acts 1:8 N-NMP Acts 1:22 N-AMS Acts 2:32 N-NMP Acts 3:15 N-NMP Acts 5:32 N-NMP Acts 6:13 N-AMP Acts 7:58 N-NMP Acts 10:39 N-NMP Acts 10:41 N-DMP Acts 13:31 N-NMP Acts 22:15 N-NMS Acts 22:20 N-GMS Acts 26:16 N-AMS Romans 1:9 N-NMS 2 Corinthians 1:23 N-AMS 2 Corinthians 13:1 N-GMP Philippians 1:8 N-NMS 1 Thessalonians 2:5 N-NMS 1 Thessalonians 2:10 N-NMP 1 Timothy 5:19 N-GMP Strong's Greek 3144 |
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