Lexical Summary ploion: Ship, boat, vessel Original Word: πλοῖον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a boatFrom pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel -- ship(-ing). see GREEK pleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pleó Definition a boat NASB Translation boat (40), boats (4), ship (18), ship's (1), ships (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4143: πλοῖονπλοῖον, πλοίου, τό (πλέω), from Herodotus down, the Sept. chiefly for אנִיָּה, a ship: Matthew 4:21, 22; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:2 (R G L text Tr text WH text); John 6:17; Acts 20:13, and often in the historical books of the N. T.; James 3:4; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 18:19. (BB. DD., under the word Topical Lexicon Ship (Strong’s Greek 4143)Historical Setting Galilee’s fishing industry relied on sturdy wooden craft averaging seven to nine meters in length, propelled by oars and a single square sail. Larger, sea-going grain ships of the Roman world might reach thirty meters and carry hundreds, as the Alexandrian vessel that bore Paul (Acts 27:37). Harbors such as Capernaum, Joppa, Caesarea, Puteoli, and Corinth tied the land of Scripture to the wider Mediterranean economy and enabled the rapid spread of the gospel. Occurrences in the Gospel Record The term appears more frequently in the Synoptics than anywhere else, underscoring the maritime backdrop of Jesus’ public ministry. “He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore” (Mark 4:1). Vessels serve as neutral space, separating Him from pressing throngs yet placing Him within earshot. The disciples’ livelihood is repeatedly linked to their craft (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:2–11). When they “left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:11) the deserted boats symbolize total surrender. Platform for Teaching and Miracles From a boat Jesus calms storms (Mark 4:37–41), walks on waves (Matthew 14:24–33), provides miraculous catches (Luke 5:4–9; John 21:3–6), and multiplies bread after disembarkation (Matthew 14:13–21). Each scene blends the ordinary with the divine, presenting the vessel as stage upon which His authority over nature, sin, and death is displayed. The hush that falls when He re-enters the boat (Matthew 14:32) evokes the eschatological peace promised to all who receive Him. Call to Discipleship Boats frame decisive moments of calling. Zebedee’s sons leave nets “in the boat with their father” (Matthew 4:22); Levi’s house is reached “again beside the sea” (Mark 2:13). To step aboard with Jesus or to leave one’s own behind becomes a metaphor for obedient trust, distinguishing true followers from curious crowds (Mark 4:36; 5:21). Storms and Divine Power The early church read the tempest narratives as assurances of Christ’s presence amid persecution. “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27) was heard not merely by drenched fishermen but by congregations buffeted by hostile powers. The battered hull, secure only because the Lord sits within, prefigures the perseverance of the saints. Apostolic Mission and Maritime Travel Acts records nineteen uses of 4143, charting a Mediterranean crisscross that carries the gospel from Judea to Rome. Paul’s journeys include frequent embarkations (Acts 20:13; 21:2–6) and the dramatic shipwreck on Malta. “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved” (Acts 27:31) combines practical seamanship with divine warning. Though the vessel is lost (27:22), every person is preserved, mirroring God’s commitment to preserve His messengers while His purposes stand. Illustrative Use in the Epistles James likens the tongue to “a very small rudder” that turns great ships (James 3:4), urging spiritual self-mastery. The example presumes the reader’s familiarity with maritime life and points to the heart as helm of behavior: steerage determines destination. Commerce, Judgment, and the Apocalypse Revelation enlarges the horizon from Galilean lake to global sea lanes. One trumpet destroys “a third of the ships” (Revelation 8:9); merchants of Babylon cry, “all who had ships on the sea became rich from her prosperity” (18:19). The vessel now represents economic might subject to sudden ruin. Human trade networks, magnificent yet fragile, crumble under God’s final verdict. Theological Reflections 1. Providence: Storm narratives and Acts 27 affirm God’s hand over natural forces and human affairs. Practical Ministry Insights Thus every appearance of Strong’s 4143 threads together literal travel, dramatic deliverance, apostolic expansion, and prophetic warning, all converging to exalt the Lord who reigns over every sea. Forms and Transliterations πλοια πλοία πλοῖα πλόια πλοιάρια πλοίοις πλοιον πλοίον πλοῖον πλοιου πλοίου πλοιω πλοίω πλοίῳ πλοιων πλοίων πλοκή πλοκής πλόκιον ploia ploîa ploiaria ploiária ploio ploiō ploíoi ploíōi ploion ploiōn ploíon ploíōn ploîon ploiou ploíouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:21 N-DNSGRK: ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ Ζεβεδαίου NAS: his brother, in the boat with Zebedee KJV: brother, in a ship with Zebedee INT: in the boat with Zebedee Matthew 4:22 N-ANS Matthew 8:23 N-ANS Matthew 8:24 N-NNS Matthew 9:1 N-ANS Matthew 13:2 N-ANS Matthew 14:13 N-DNS Matthew 14:22 N-ANS Matthew 14:24 N-NNS Matthew 14:29 N-GNS Matthew 14:32 N-ANS Matthew 14:33 N-DNS Matthew 15:39 N-ANS Mark 1:19 N-DNS Mark 1:20 N-DNS Mark 4:1 N-ANS Mark 4:36 N-DNS Mark 4:36 N-NNP Mark 4:37 N-ANS Mark 4:37 N-ANS Mark 5:2 N-GNS Mark 5:18 N-ANS Mark 5:21 N-DNS Mark 6:32 N-DNS Mark 6:45 N-ANS Strong's Greek 4143 |
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