Lexical Summary mesos: Middle, midst, among Original Word: μέσος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance among, midst, middleFrom meta; middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun) -- among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way. see GREEK meta NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition middle, in the midst NASB Translation among (3), among* (5), before* (3), between (1), between* (3), center (6), forward* (3), midday* (1), middle (6), midnight* (2), midst (19), two (1), way (2), within* (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3319: ἀναμέσονἀναμέσον, i. e. ἀνά μέσον, see ἀνά, 1.) STRONGS NT 3319: μέσοςμέσος, μέσῃ, μέσον (from Homer down), middle (Latinmedius, media, medium); 1. as an adjective: μέσης νυκτός, at midnight, Matthew 25:6; μέσης ἡμέρας, Acts 26:13 (according to Lob. ad Phryn., pp. 53, 54, 465, the better writings said μέσον ἡμέρας, μεσουσα ἡμέρα, μεσημβρία); with the genitive: (ἐκάθητο ὁ Πέτρος μέσος αὐτῶν, Luke 22:55 (R G L ἐν μέσῳ)); μέσος ὑμῶν ἕστηκε (others, στήκει), stands in the midst of you, John 1:26 (Plato, de rep. 1, p. 330 b.; polit., p. 303 a.); ἐσχίσθη μέσον (the veil) was rent in the midst, Luke 23:45 (Winer's Grammar, 131 (124) note); ἐλάκησε μέσος, Acts 1:18; (ἐσταύρωσαν) μέσον τόν Ἰησοῦν, John 19:18. 2. the neuter τό μέσον or (without the article in adverb. phrases, as διά μέσου, ἐν μέσῳ, cf. Winers Grammar, 123 (117); (cf. Buttmann, § 125, 6)) μέσον is used as a substantive; the Sept. for תָּוֶך (construction state תּוך), and קֶרֶב; the midst: ἀνά μέσον (see ἀνά, 1 (and added note below)); διά μέσου (τίνος), through the midst (Amos 5:17; Jeremiah 44:4 (Psalm 37:4)): αὐτῶν, through the midst of them, Luke 4:30; John 8:59 (Rec.); Σαμαρείας, Luke 17:11 (R G, but L T Tr WH διά μέσον, (see διά, B. I.); others take the phrase here in the sense of between (Xenophon, an. 1, 4, 4; Aristotle, de anim. 2, 11 vol. i., p. 423{b}, 12; see Liddell and Scott, under the word, III. 1 d.); cf. Meyer, Weiss (at the place cited) and added note below); εἰς τό μέσον, into the midst, i. e., according to the context, either the middle of a room or the midst of those assembled in it: Mark 3:3; Mark 14:60 Rec.; Luke 4:35; Luke 5:19; Luke 6:8; John 20:19, 26; εἰς μέσον (cf. German mittenhin), Mark 14:60 G L T Tr WH; ἐν τῷ μέσῳ, in the middle of the apartment or before the guests, Matthew 14:6; ἐν μέσῳ, in the midst of the place spoken of, John 8:3, 9; in the middle of the room, before all, Acts 4:7; with the genitive of place, Revelation 2:7 Rec.; Luke 21:21; (equivalent to German mittenauf) τῆς πλατείας, Revelation 22:2 (but see below); add, Luke 22:55a; Acts 17:22; τῆς θαλάσσης, in the midst (of the surface of) the sea, Mark 6:47; with the genitive plural in the midst of, amongst: with gen of things; Matthew 10:16; Luke 8:7; Luke 10:3; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 2:1; with the genitive of person, Matthew 18:2; Mark 9:36; Luke 2:46; Luke 22:55b there T Tr WH μέσος; see 1 above); 3. the neuter μέσον is used adverbially with a genitive, in the midst ofanything: ἦν μέσον τῆς θαλάσσης, Matthew 14:24 (otherwise Tr text WH text; yet cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6) ((so Exodus 14:27); τέων γάρ μέσον εἶναι τῆς Ἰωνιης, Herodotus 7, 170); γενεάς σκολιᾶς, Philippians 2:15 L T Tr WH (τῆς ἡμέρας, the middle of the day, Susanna 7 Theod.); cf. Buttmann, 123 (107f) (cf. 319 (274); Winer's Grammar, as above). The word group translated “midst,” “among,” or “in the middle” frequently marks a literal center point. It describes the height of the day (“about noon,” Acts 26:13), the depths of night (“at midnight,” Matthew 25:6), and the geographical midpoint between regions (Mark 7:31; Luke 17:11). These uses emphasize exactness: the Lord who numbers our days also rules precise moments and locations. The “middle” is never random; it is a divinely appointed setting for revelation, warning, or deliverance. Christ in the Midst of Humanity 1. Incarnation and ministry 2. Crucifixion 3. Resurrection appearances Christ in the Midst of the Church Revelation presents the exalted Son “in the middle of the seven lampstands” (Revelation 1:13; 2:1), the lampstands being the churches. He searches, corrects, and comforts. Later, “in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders” stands “a Lamb who appeared to have been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Heaven’s worship circles around Him. Ultimately, “the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd” (Revelation 7:17), assuring eternal provision. The recurring vision of Christ at the center teaches that authentic ecclesiology and eschatology are Christocentric. Corporate Fellowship and Discipline Matthew 18:20 promises, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” The same context (Matthew 18:15-20) outlines church discipline, later echoed by Paul: “Remove the wicked man from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2). Presence and purity are intertwined. Christ dwells centrally among His people; therefore whatever defiles that center must be removed (2 Corinthians 6:17; Colossians 2:14). Missionary Engagement Jesus sends disciples “as lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3; Matthew 10:16). The Gospel advances from within hostile surroundings, not from safe margins. Paul stands “in the midst of the Areopagus” (Acts 17:22) to proclaim the unknown God, and later he speaks “in the midst of the council” (Acts 23:10). This placement underscores bold proclamation: truth occupies the center even when culture resists. Deliverance Amid Peril • When a storm immobilizes the ship, Paul stands “in the midst of them” and brings a word of hope (Acts 27:21). These accounts show divine rescue precisely where danger peaks. Moral and Eschatological Separation Parables of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:25) and the dragnet (Matthew 13:49) announce a future division: the wicked will be taken “out of the midst” of the righteous. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 speaks of a restraining force “out of the way,” clearing the stage for final lawlessness. The middle can be a place of mingling now, but not forever; God will separate light from darkness. Pastoral Gentleness Paul reminds the Thessalonians, “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). Shepherds minister from within the flock, illustrating incarnational leadership rooted in Christ’s own pattern of dwelling among His people. Theological Implications 1. Sovereignty: The consistent placement of pivotal events “in the midst” testifies to God’s meticulous governance of history. Practical Applications • Worship: Gather with conscious awareness that Christ stands in our midst, deserving reverence and obedience. Summary Across narrative, doctrine, and vision, Strong’s 3319 family of terms places Jesus Christ at the decisive center—of history, of the church, of heaven’s throne, and of every believer’s life. All things hold together in Him; therefore, life and ministry find coherence only when He is “in the midst.” Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:16 Adj-DNSGRK: πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων γίνεσθε NAS: you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; KJV: sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye INT: sheep in [the] midst of wolves be you Matthew 13:25 Adj-ANS Matthew 13:49 Adj-GNS Matthew 14:6 Adj-DNS Matthew 18:2 Adj-DNS Matthew 18:20 Adj-DNS Matthew 25:6 Adj-GFS Mark 3:3 Adj-ANS Mark 6:47 Adj-DNS Mark 7:31 Adj-ANS Mark 9:36 Adj-DNS Mark 14:60 Adj-ANS Luke 2:46 Adj-DNS Luke 4:30 Adj-GNS Luke 4:35 Adj-ANS Luke 5:19 Adj-ANS Luke 6:8 Adj-ANS Luke 8:7 Adj-DNS Luke 10:3 Adj-DNS Luke 17:11 Adj-ANS Luke 21:21 Adj-DNS Luke 22:27 Adj-DNS Luke 22:55 Adj-DNS Luke 22:55 Adj-NMS Luke 23:45 Adj-ANS Strong's Greek 3319 |
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