Lexical Summary pais: Child, servant, boy, girl Original Word: παῖς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance child, maiden, servant, young man. Perhaps from paio; a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God) -- child, maid(-en), (man) servant, son, young man. see GREEK paio HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3816 país – a child under training (strict oversight), emphasizing their ongoing development necessary to reach their highest (eternal) destiny. See 3813 (paidon). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a child, boy, youth NASB Translation boy (4), child (1), children (1), girl's (1), male children (1), men (1), servant (12), servants (2), slaves* (1), son (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3816: παῖςπαῖς, genitive παιδός, ὁ, ἡ, from Homer down; in the N. T. only in the Gospels and Acts; 1. a child, boy or girl; the Sept. for נַעַר and נַעֲרָה (Genesis 24:28; Deuteronomy 22:15, etc.): ὁ παῖς, Matthew 17:18; Luke 2:43; Luke 9:42; Acts 20:12; ἡ παῖς, Luke 8:51, 54; plural infants, children, Matthew 2:16; Matthew 21:15; ὁ παῖς τίνος, the son of one, John 4:51. 2. (Like the Latinpuer, equivalent to) servant, slave (Aeschylus choëph. 652; Aristophanes nub. 18, 132; Xenophon, mem. 3, 13, 6; symp. 1, 11; 2, 23; Plato, Charm., p. 155 a.; Protag., p. 310{c}. and often; Diodorus 17, 76; others; so the Sept. times without number for עֶבֶד (cf. Winers Grammar, p. 30, no. 3); cf. the similar use of German Bursch (Frenchgarcon, English boy)): Matthew 8:6, 8, 13; Luke 7:7 cf. Luke 7:10; Luke 12:45; Luke 15:26. an attendant, servant, specifically, a king's attendant, minister: Matthew 14:2 (Diodorus 17:36; hardly so in the earlier Greek writings; Genesis 41:37; 1 Samuel 16:15-17; 1 Samuel 18:22, 26; Daniel 2:7; 1 Macc. 1:6, 8; 1 Esdr. 2:16 1 Esdr. 5:33, 35); hence, in imitation of the Hebrew יְהוָה עֶבֶד, παῖς τοῦ Θεοῦ is used of a devout worshipper of God, one who fulfils God's will (Psalm 68:18 The word translated variously as “child,” “boy,” “girl,” or “servant” occurs twenty-four times in the Greek New Testament. It always signals humble dependence under an acknowledged authority—whether that authority is parental, social, or divine. The same term can describe a household slave, a covenant nation, or the Messiah Himself, revealing a unifying biblical motif of service grounded in sonship. Literal Children in the Gospel Narratives • Birth and infancy: Herod’s slaughter of the Bethlehem boys (Matthew 2:16) and the twelve-year-old Jesus remaining in the temple (Luke 2:43) highlight both earthly peril and heavenly purpose surrounding children. Servants in Households and Parables The term identifies domestic servants in Herod’s court (Matthew 14:2), in the parable of the steward (Luke 12:45), and in the account of the prodigal son (Luke 15:26). These passages underscore accountability. Earthly masters expect faithfulness; the heavenly Master expects the same of His stewards. Israel as God’s Servant In the Magnificat, Mary testifies, “He has helped His servant Israel” (Luke 1:54; cf. 1:69). Luke thereby links Israel’s historical vocation with the coming of the Messiah—both are called “servant,” showing continuity within the covenant narrative. The Messianic Servant Matthew 12:18 quotes Isaiah 42:1: “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen.” Acts amplifies the theme: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob… has glorified His Servant Jesus” (Acts 3:13), and the church prays “through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30). The Isaianic Servant songs converge on Jesus, whose obedient suffering and exaltation secure redemption. Servant-Son Tension Resolved in Christ By bearing the twin titles Son and Servant, Jesus embodies perfect filial obedience. He models the servant’s humility without forfeiting the Son’s dignity, revealing that true greatness lies in willing submission to the Father’s will (cf. Philippians 2:6-11, though a different vocabulary). Historical Background In first-century culture the same term could denote a child of the household or a slave of any age. The New Testament writers adopt the familiar vocabulary yet subvert prevailing honor-shame hierarchies. By labeling the crucified and risen Christ as “Servant,” they elevate humility to the highest rank. Ministry Implications 1. Valuing the young: Jesus’ healings and acceptance of children require the church to champion and protect them. Key Passages for Further Study Matthew 8:6-13; Matthew 12:18; Luke 1:54-69; Luke 8:54; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:27-30. Summary The same Greek word portrays a vulnerable child, a household servant, the covenant people, and the Messiah. In every case it points to dependence allied with duty. Believers are therefore called to live as beloved children and devoted servants, trusting the Father who “glorified His Servant Jesus” (Acts 3:13) and who will glorify all who share His obedient faith. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:16 N-AMPGRK: πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν NAS: all the male children who were in Bethlehem KJV: all the children that were in INT: all the boys that [were] in Matthew 8:6 N-NMS Matthew 8:8 N-NMS Matthew 8:13 N-NMS Matthew 12:18 N-NMS Matthew 14:2 N-DMP Matthew 17:18 N-NMS Matthew 21:15 N-AMP Luke 1:54 N-GMS Luke 1:69 N-GMS Luke 2:43 N-NMS Luke 7:7 N-NMS Luke 8:51 N-GFS Luke 8:54 N-NFS Luke 9:42 N-AMS Luke 12:45 N-AMP Luke 15:26 N-GMP John 4:51 N-NMS Acts 3:13 N-AMS Acts 3:26 N-AMS Acts 4:25 N-GMS Acts 4:27 N-AMS Acts 4:30 N-GMS Acts 20:12 N-AMS Strong's Greek 3816 |
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