935. basileus

Lexical Summary

basileus: King

Original Word: βασιλεύς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: basileus
Pronunciation: bah-see-LEH-oos
Phonetic Spelling: (bas-il-yooce')
KJV: king
NASB: king, kings, king's, King of kings, kings'
Word Origin: [probably from G939 (βάσις - feet) (through the notion of a foundation of power)]

1. a sovereign (king, emperor, ruler)
{abstractly, relatively, or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

king.

Probably from basis (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) -- king.

see GREEK basis

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 935 basileús – a king (sovereign); often referring to Christ who is "the King of kings" (Rev 19:16), i.e. the King over the Kingdom of the heavens (God). As the King, Jesus Christ has unqualified jurisdiction over all creation – also being God the Creator. (cf. Jn 1:1-3,49). See 932 (basileia).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a king
NASB Translation
king (82), King of kings (1), KING OF KINGS (1), king's (2), king* (1), kings (1), kings (24), kings' (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 935: βασιλεύς

βασιλεύς, βασιλέως, ὁ, leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king; universally: οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς, Matthew 17:25; Revelation 16:14 (L T Tr WH omit τῆς γῆς), etc.; τῶν ἐθνῶν, Luke 22:25; of the king of Egypt, Acts 7:10, 18; Hebrews 11:23, 27; of David, Matthew 1:6; Acts 13:22; of Herod the Great and his successors, Matthew 2:1ff; Luke 1:5; Acts 12:1; Acts 25:13; of a tetrarch, Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:14, 22 (of the son of a king, Xenophon, oec. 4, 16; "regesSyriac,regisAntiochipueros,scitisRomaenuperfuisse," Cicero, Verr. 2:4, 27, cf. de senectute 17, 59; (Vergil Aen. 9, 223)); of a Roman emperor, 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 2:17, cf. Revelation 17:9 (10), (so in secular writings in the Roman age, as in Josephus, b. j. 5, 13, 6; Herodian, 2, 4, 8 (4 Bekker); of the son of the emperor, ibid. 1, 5, 15 (5 Bekker)); of the Messiah, ὁ βασιλεύς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, Matthew 2:2, etc.; τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, Mark 15:32; John 1:49 (50); ; of Christians, as to reign over the world with Christ in the millennial kingdom, Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10 (Rec. in both passages and (Griesbach in the latter; see βασιλεία, 3 e.); of God, the supreme ruler over all, Matthew 5:35; 1 Timothy 1:17 (see αἰών, 2); Revelation 15:3; βασιλεύς βασιλέων, Revelation 17:14 (but here, as in Revelation 19:16 of the victorious Messiah); ὁ βασιλεία τῶν βασιλευόντων, 1 Timothy 6:15 (2 Macc. 13:4; 3Macc. 5:35; Enoch 9, 4; (84, 2; Philo de decal. § 10); cf. (κύριος τῶν βασιλειῶν, Daniel 2:47); κύριος τῶν κυρίων, Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 135:3 (; (so of the king of the Parthians, Plutarch, Pomp. § 38, 1)).

Topical Lexicon

Overview of New Testament Usage

“King” appears 115 times in the Greek New Testament, describing earthly monarchs, God Himself, and above all Jesus Christ. The term frames salvation history, contrasts temporal rule with eternal dominion, and supplies a backdrop for Christian ethics and mission.

Earthly Kings in the Gospel Narrative

1. Herodian rulers (Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:14–29) illustrate corrupt power resisting the kingdom of heaven.
2. Roman sovereignty, though seldom titled “king,” lies behind declarations such as, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).
3. Regional monarchs—Agrippa (Acts 25:13), Aretas (2 Corinthians 11:32)—show the political mosaic confronting the early church.
4. Parables set forth unnamed kings to depict judgment, generosity, or covenant mercy (Matthew 18:23; 22:2; 25:34).

The Messianic King: Jesus Christ

From the magi’s inquiry, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2), to the inscription above the cross (John 19:19), kingship defines the Messiah.
• Entry into Jerusalem: “See, your King is coming to you, gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5).
• Trial before Pilate: Jesus affirms a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:36).
• Eschatological victory: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16).

God the Eternal King

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:17) anchors worship in divine sovereignty, echoed in Revelation 15:3, “O King of the nations.” The title underscores God’s absolute rule over history and redemption.

Kingship and Discipleship

Acknowledging Christ as King demands obedience (Luke 6:46), allegiance above all rivals (Acts 5:29), and hope in future reign: “They will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).

Eschatological Kings and Final Judgment

Rebellious “kings of the earth” gather against God (Revelation 16:14; 19:19) yet lament Babylon’s fall (18:9). Their defeat magnifies the Lamb’s triumph, while Revelation 21:24 pictures redeemed nations’ kings honoring the New Jerusalem. By contrast, Revelation 9:11 names Abaddon/Apollyon as the destroyer-king ruling the abyss.

Ministry Implications: Witness Before Kings

Jesus promised, “You will be brought before governors and kings on account of Me” (Matthew 10:18). Paul fulfills this before Agrippa (Acts 26), modeling bold, respectful testimony—an outworking of Acts 9:15, “My chosen instrument… before Gentiles and kings.”

Praying for Kings and Living under Authority

“Pray for kings and all in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:2). Submission “to the king as supreme” (1 Peter 2:13–17) coexists with prophetic courage, recognizing rulers as God’s servants yet subordinate to Christ.

Literary and Theological Patterns

• Contrast: temporal vs. eternal authority.
• Irony: mockers proclaim truth—“Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:3).
• Inclusio: Matthew begins with a newborn King (Matthew 2) and ends with royal commission (28:18–20).
• Reversal: persecuting kings hide in caves from the Lamb’s wrath (Revelation 6:15–17).

Key Passages for Study

Matthew 2:1–12; 21:1–11; 27:11–37

John 18:33–19:22

Acts 17:7; 25:13–26:32

1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15

Revelation 17–19; 21:24–26

Forms and Transliterations

βασιλεα βασιλέα βασιλέας βασιλει βασιλεί βασιλεῖ βασιλέι βασιλεις βασιλείς βασιλεῖς βασιλευ βασιλεύ βασιλεῦ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ βασιλεύς βασιλεὺς βασιλέυς βασιλεύσι βασιλευσιν βασιλεύσιν βασιλεῦσιν ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ βασιλέων βασιλεως βασιλεώς βασιλέως βασιλύσιν basilea basiléa basilei basileî basileis basileîs BASILEoN BASILEŌN basiléon basiléōn basileos basileōs basiléos basiléōs basileu basileû BASILEUS basileús basileùs basileusin basileûsin

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:6 N-AMS
GRK: Δαυὶδ τὸν βασιλέα Δαυὶδ δὲ
NAS: of David the king. David
KJV: begat David the king; and David
INT: David the king David moreover

Matthew 2:1 N-GMS
GRK: Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως ἰδοὺ μάγοι
NAS: of Herod the king, magi
KJV: of Herod the king, behold,
INT: of Herod the king behold magi

Matthew 2:2 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων
NAS: is He who has been born King of the Jews?
KJV: he that is born King of the Jews?
INT: the [one] having been born King of the Jews

Matthew 2:3 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἡρῴδης ἐταράχθη
NAS: When Herod the king heard
KJV: Herod the king had heard
INT: moreover the king Herod he was troubled

Matthew 2:9 N-GMS
GRK: ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ
NAS: hearing the king, they went their way;
KJV: they had heard the king, they departed;
INT: having heard the king went away and

Matthew 5:35 N-GMS
GRK: τοῦ μεγάλου βασιλέως
NAS: for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.
KJV: the city of the great King.
INT: of the great King

Matthew 10:18 N-AMP
GRK: δὲ καὶ βασιλεῖς ἀχθήσεσθε ἕνεκεν
NAS: governors and kings for My sake,
KJV: governors and kings for my sake,
INT: also and kings you will be brought on account of

Matthew 11:8 N-GMP
GRK: οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων εἰσίν
NAS: soft [clothing] are in kings' palaces!
KJV: [clothing] are in kings' houses.
INT: houses the of kings are

Matthew 14:9 N-NMS
GRK: λυπηθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς διὰ τοὺς
NAS: Although he was grieved, the king commanded
KJV: And the king was sorry:
INT: having been grieved the king but on account of the

Matthew 17:25 N-NMP
GRK: Σίμων οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς
NAS: From whom do the kings of the earth
KJV: whom do the kings of the earth take
INT: Simon The kings of the earth

Matthew 18:23 N-DMS
GRK: οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὃς ἠθέλησεν
NAS: may be compared to a king who
KJV: unto a certain king, which
INT: heavens to a man a king who would

Matthew 21:5 N-NMS
GRK: Ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεταί
NAS: BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING
KJV: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee,
INT: Behold the king of you comes

Matthew 22:2 N-DMS
GRK: οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὅστις ἐποίησεν
KJV: unto a certain king, which
INT: heavens to a man a king who made

Matthew 22:7 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ὠργίσθη καὶ
NAS: But the king was enraged, and he sent
KJV: But when the king heard
INT: moreover [the] king was angry and

Matthew 22:11 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς θεάσασθαι τοὺς
NAS: But when the king came
KJV: And when the king came in to see
INT: moreover the king to see the

Matthew 22:13 N-NMS
GRK: τότε ὁ βασιλεὺς εἶπεν τοῖς
NAS: Then the king said to the servants,
KJV: said the king to the servants,
INT: Then the king said to the

Matthew 25:34 N-NMS
GRK: ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ
NAS: Then the King will say to those
KJV: Then shall the King say unto them on
INT: will say the king to those on

Matthew 25:40 N-NMS
GRK: ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς
NAS: The King will answer and say
KJV: And the King shall answer and say
INT: having answered the king will say to them

Matthew 27:11 N-NMS
GRK: εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων
NAS: Him, saying, Are You the King of the Jews?
KJV: Art thou the King of the Jews? And
INT: are the king of the Jews

Matthew 27:29 N-VMS
GRK: λέγοντες Χαῖρε βασιλεῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων
NAS: Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
KJV: saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
INT: saying Hail king of the Jews

Matthew 27:37 N-NMS
GRK: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ Ο ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΟΥΔΑΙΩΝ
NAS: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
KJV: IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
INT: Jesus the king of the Jews

Matthew 27:42 N-NMS
GRK: δύναται σῶσαι βασιλεὺς Ἰσραήλ ἐστιν
NAS: Himself. He is the King of Israel;
KJV: If he be the King of Israel, let him
INT: his is able to save King of Israel he is

Mark 6:14 N-NMS
GRK: ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἡρῴδης φανερὸν
NAS: And King Herod heard
KJV: [them].And king Herod heard
INT: heard the king Herod [of him] well known

Mark 6:22 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς εἶπεν τῷ
NAS: and his dinner guests; and the king said
KJV: them that sat with him, the king said
INT: and [the] king said to the

Mark 6:25 N-AMS
GRK: πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ᾐτήσατο λέγουσα
NAS: in a hurry to the king and asked,
KJV: unto the king, and asked,
INT: to the king she asked saying

Strong's Greek 935
115 Occurrences

βασιλέα — 15 Occ.
βασιλεῖ — 6 Occ.
βασιλεῖς — 16 Occ.
βασιλέων — 11 Occ.
βασιλέως — 9 Occ.
βασιλεῦ — 9 Occ.
βασιλεὺς — 48 Occ.
βασιλεῦσιν — 1 Occ.