Lexical Summary praktór: Officer, executor, avenger Original Word: πράκτωρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance officer. From a derivative of prasso; a practiser, i.e. (specially), an official collector -- officer. see GREEK prasso HELPS Word-studies 4233 práktōr – properly, a finance agent; "a bailiff or constable" working in a court in antiquity (BAGD); "an officer (usher) of the court" (Souter). "In ancient Athens a 4233 (práktōr) exacted payment as a government (official) collector – hence (as frequently in the papyri), 4233 (práktōr) refers to a court officer (Lk 12:58, A. Deissmann, BS, 154)" (A-S). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom prassó Definition one who does or accomplishes NASB Translation officer (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4233: πράκτωρπράκτωρ, πρακτορος, ὁ (πράσσω); 1. one who does anything, a doer (Sophocles). 2. "one who does the work of inflicting punishment or taking vengeance; especially the avenger of a murder (Aeschylus, Sophocles); the exactor of a pecuniary fine" ((Antiphon), Demosthenes, others); an officer of justice of the tower order whose business it is to inflict punishment: Luke 12:58. Strong’s Greek 4233 designates a “praktor,” an executive officer charged with exacting payment or enforcing a court ruling. In the language of the day it stood for the bailiff or constable who carried out sentences by seizing property, collecting fines, or imprisoning debtors. Occurrences in Scripture Luke 12:58 is the lone passage in which the noun appears, though two grammatical forms occur in the verse (“πράκτωρ … πράκτορι”). Jesus says, “As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort to reconcile with him on the way. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, and the officer will throw you into prison” (Berean Standard Bible). Historical Background 1. Hellenistic Courts: In first-century Palestine, civil cases often passed through a Greco-Roman legal structure. Once judgment was rendered, a praktor ensured compliance, functioning much like the Roman apparitor or lictor. Theological Significance 1. Urgency of Reconciliation: By invoking the figure of the praktor, Jesus underscores the peril of postponing repentance. Just as a debtor has limited time before an officer executes sentence, every sinner must settle accounts with God (Isaiah 55:6; Hebrews 3:13). Practical Ministry Applications • Counseling and Conflict Resolution: The text commends proactive reconciliation. Pastors can urge disputing parties to seek peace before bitterness escalates and external authorities are forced to intervene (Ephesians 4:26-27). Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References Matthew 5:25-26 – parallel lesson using a different term for “officer,” highlighting the breadth of the warning. Proverbs 6:1-5 – advice to free oneself from financial entanglements, echoing the urgency Jesus conveys. Matthew 18:23-35 – the unforgiving servant faces imprisonment until he can pay, a narrative expansion of Luke’s single verse. Romans 13:1-7 – civil authorities as God’s servants executing wrath, affirming the legitimacy of earthly officers while pointing to the higher Judge. James 2:13 – “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful,” a doctrinal hinge linking reconciliation with divine clemency. Summary Though Strong’s 4233 appears only once, the concept of a praktor throws a sharp spotlight on accountability, both temporal and eternal. Jesus employs the image to galvanize listeners toward immediate reconciliation—with fellow humans and ultimately with God—before the moment for voluntary settlement yields to the inevitability of enforced justice. Englishman's Concordance Luke 12:58 N-DMSGRK: παραδώσει τῷ πράκτορι καὶ ὁ NAS: turn you over to the officer, and the officer KJV: thee to the officer, and INT: should deliver to the officer and the Luke 12:58 N-NMS Strong's Greek 4233 |
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