Lexical Summary anthrópoktonos: Murderer Original Word: ἀνθρωποκτόνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance murderer. From anthropos and kteino (to kill); a manslayer -- murderer. Compare phoneus. see GREEK anthropos see GREEK phoneus NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anthrópos and kteinó (to kill) Definition a manslayer NASB Translation murderer (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 443: ἀνθρωποκτόνοςἀνθρωποκτόνος, ἀνθρωποκτονον (κτείνω to kill), a manslayer, murderer: John 8:44. contextually, to be deemed equal to a murderer, 1 John 3:15. (Euripides, Iph. T. (382) 389.) (Cf. Trench, § 83, and φονεύς.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 443 names one whose disposition or acts take human life—“murderer” or “manslayer.” While the noun appears only three times in the Greek New Testament, its theological weight is considerable, for it exposes the violent antithesis between the life–giving God and every life–taking impulse rooted in the devil and the flesh. Scriptural Occurrences • John 8:44 – Jesus declares of the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning,” identifying the archenemy as the primal source of human death. Old Testament and Jewish Background The sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), established the sanctity of human life as grounded in the imago Dei (Genesis 9:6). Jewish writings frequently link murder with Satanic influence, and rabbinic tradition equated unjust hatred with bloodshed, anticipating John’s application. Theological Significance 1. Satanic Origin of Death: By labeling the devil “a murderer,” Jesus traces all human death—physical and spiritual—to demonic rebellion (cf. Romans 5:12). Christological Insights Christ not only avoids the charge of murder; He conquers it. By dying voluntarily, He absorbs the murderous intent of both human and demonic foes, turning an act of violence into the means of redemption (Acts 2:23–24). His resurrection proves that the “murderer from the beginning” cannot hold the Author of Life (Acts 3:15). Ethical and Pastoral Applications • Heart Examination: Pastoral ministry must press beyond the absence of homicide to expose bitterness, resentment, and malice (Ephesians 4:31). Historical Reception in the Church Early fathers (e.g., Tertullian, Cyprian) leveraged 1 John 3:15 to confront feuding believers and to condemn gladiatorial games. Reformers employed the verse to denounce both private vendettas and state-endorsed persecution. Modern evangelical ethics still cite it when addressing hatred that masquerades as righteous zeal. Ministry Implications Homiletics: Exposition of John 8:44 and 1 John 3:15 exposes the cosmic battle for life, urging congregations toward gospel-centered love. Counseling: Identifying murderous anger in the heart guides believers from confession to Spirit-empowered change (Galatians 5:22–23). Mission: Proclaiming Christ to cultures steeped in violence showcases the kingdom where “they will beat their swords into plowshares” (Isaiah 2:4). Summary Strong’s 443 crystallizes Scripture’s verdict that murder, whether in deed or in disposition, stands diametrically opposed to God’s character and kingdom. From Eden’s first death to Calvary’s victorious life, the biblical narrative moves from the murderer’s chaos to the Savior’s restoration, calling every disciple to embody cruciform love in a world still gripped by the homicidal lies of the evil one. Forms and Transliterations ανθρωποκτονος ανθρωποκτόνος ἀνθρωποκτόνος anthropoktonos anthropoktónos anthrōpoktonos anthrōpoktónosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 8:44 Adj-NMSGRK: ποιεῖν ἐκεῖνος ἀνθρωποκτόνος ἦν ἀπ' NAS: of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, KJV: He was a murderer from the beginning, INT: to do He a murderer was from 1 John 3:15 Adj-NMS 1 John 3:15 Adj-NMS |
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