2935. ktétór
Lexical Summary
ktétór: Owner, Possessor

Original Word: κτήτωρ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ktétór
Pronunciation: ktay'-tohr
Phonetic Spelling: (ktay'-tore)
KJV: possessor
NASB: owners
Word Origin: [from G2932 (κτάομαι - acquired)]

1. an owner

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
owner

From ktaomai; an owner -- possessor.

see GREEK ktaomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ktaomai
Definition
a possessor
NASB Translation
owners (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2935: κτήτωρ

κτήτωρ, κτητορος, (κτάομαι), a possessor: Acts 4:34. (Diodorus excpt., p. 599, 17; Clement of Alexandria; Byzantine writings.)

Topical Lexicon
κτήτωρ – Owner, Possessor

Biblical Occurrence

Acts 4:34: “There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds of the sales” (Berean Standard Bible). The word designates those who held legal title to real estate within the Jerusalem congregation.

Historical Setting in Acts

After Pentecost the church in Jerusalem swelled with new believers. Many were pilgrims who remained in the city to be instructed in the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). The sudden influx created pressing material needs. Luke records that members who were κτήτορες chose to liquidate assets so those resources could be “laid at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:35). Their action was voluntary (Acts 5:4), Spirit-prompted (Acts 4:31), and exemplary of unity (Acts 4:32).

Theological Implications

• God’s ultimate ownership. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). Human ownership is derivative, calling for responsible stewardship (1 Chronicles 29:14).

• Stewardship versus possession. While κτήτορες had lawful rights, they recognized a higher obligation to the body of Christ. Their example illustrates that possessions exist to serve kingdom purposes, not to enthrone self (Luke 12:15).

• Grace-motivated generosity. The sharing in Jerusalem sprang from the gospel’s power, not coercion. Paul later appeals to the same principle: “Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

• Eschatological vision. Holding property loosely reflects confidence in “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4). Material goods become tools for eternal investment (Luke 16:9).

Connections with Old Testament Thought

The Torah tempered property rights with community responsibility. Gleaning laws (Leviticus 19:9-10), Sabbatical release (Deuteronomy 15:1-11), and Jubilee (Leviticus 25) guarded against entrenched poverty. The Jerusalem believers’ practice echoes these principles, now energized by the Holy Spirit.

Related New Testament Teaching

Acts 2:44-45 – early precedent of selling possessions for the needy.
Luke 12:33 – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
1 John 3:17 – love’s test in meeting a brother’s need.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 – instructions to those who are rich.

Together these passages affirm liberty to own property while urging open-handed generosity.

Ministry Significance

1. Relief of need within the church remains a gospel mandate (James 2:15-16).
2. Leaders are entrusted to distribute resources with integrity, mirroring the apostles’ example.
3. Transparent, voluntary giving fosters unity and testimony before a watching world (John 13:35).
4. Modern believers who are κτήτορες—owners of houses, land, businesses, investments—are invited to leverage their assets for disciple-making, missions, and mercy ministries.

Contemporary Application

• Conduct regular “ownership audits,” prayerfully asking how property can advance Christ’s mission.
• Cultivate congregational funds that address medical bills, housing crises, or missionary support, following the Acts model.
• Teach stewardship that balances wise provision for family (Proverbs 13:22) with sacrificial generosity (Hebrews 13:16).

See Also

Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 19:8; Acts 11:29; Romans 12:13; Philippians 4:15-17; Hebrews 10:34; Revelation 3:17-18

Forms and Transliterations
κτητορες κτήτορες ktetores ktētores ktḗtores
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 4:34 N-NMP
GRK: ὅσοι γὰρ κτήτορες χωρίων ἢ
NAS: them, for all who were owners of land
KJV: as many as were possessors of lands or
INT: as many as indeed owners of estates or

Strong's Greek 2935
1 Occurrence


κτήτορες — 1 Occ.

2934
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