βασιλεύς
basileus
king
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word "βασιλεύς" (basileus) refers to a king, as evident from its definition. Its presence in the biblical text 116 times underscores its significance in the narrative, indicating that the concept of kingship plays a substantial role in the biblical storyline. The semantic domain of Royalty & Authority further emphasizes the word's association with power and dominion. In its range of usage, the term "βασιλεύς" is employed to describe human rulers, such as kings and emperors, as well as to convey divine authority, often in the context of God's reign over creation and humanity. This duality highlights the complex relationship between human and divine power in the biblical narrative, where the monarchies of ancient Israel and surrounding nations serve as a backdrop for the exercise of God's sovereignty. The repeated occurrence of "βασιλεύς" in the biblical text underscores its importance as a concept, reflecting the ongoing tension between human rule and divine authority throughout the narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
116 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife.
Matthew 1:6Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife.
Matthew 2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 2:2“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:3When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 5:35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Matthew 10:18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
Matthew 18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.
Matthew 21:5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Matthew 22:2“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,
Matthew 22:7When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Matthew 22:11But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
Matthew 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
Matthew 25:40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 27:11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
Matthew 27:29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Matthew 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 27:42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
Mark 6:14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
Mark 6:22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
Mark 6:25She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
Mark 6:26The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
Mark 6:27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark 13:9But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
Mark 15:2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”
Mark 15:9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
Mark 15:12Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
Mark 15:18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Mark 15:26The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Mark 15:32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
Luke 1:5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
Luke 22:25He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
Luke 10:24for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”
Luke 14:31Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:31Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 19:38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
Luke 21:12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
Luke 23:2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
Luke 23:3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
Luke 23:37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
Luke 23:38An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 1:49Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
John 6:15Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
John 12:13they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
John 12:15“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
John 18:33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”