Lexical Summary platus: Broad, wide Original Word: πλατύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wide. From plasso; spread out "flat" ("plot"), i.e. Broad -- wide. see GREEK plasso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition broad, subst. a street NASB Translation street (4), streets (5), wide (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4116: πλατύςπλατύς, πλατεῖα, πλατύ (cf. Latinplanus, latus; Curtius, § 367 b; Vanicek, p. 552), from Homer down, the Sept. several times for רָחַב, broad: Matthew 7:13. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 4116 designates the “broad” or “wide” thoroughfare mentioned once in the Greek New Testament, Matthew 7:13, where Jesus contrasts the broad way that leads to destruction with the narrow way that leads to life. Though the term appears only here, the picture it evokes runs through all of Scripture: two diverging paths—one inviting, spacious, and popular; the other demanding, narrow, and sparsely traveled. The idea of moral and spiritual roads is a dominant biblical metaphor, framing salvation history and discipleship alike. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Near-Eastern cities were laid out with principal streets (plateiai) wide enough for processions, markets, and public assemblies. Such avenues symbolized civic pride, prosperity, and freedom of movement. Jesus deliberately borrows this urban image, familiar to listeners walking the paved cardo of cities such as Sepphoris or the Decumanus of Jerusalem, to expose an opposite spiritual reality: the broad street is not the safe, celebrated route; it is a deceptive path to ruin. Biblical Usage Matthew 7:13: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it.” Jesus the Rabbi of Galilee situates His warning at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, marking the transition from kingdom ethics to eschatological urgency. The single occurrence of 4116 thus bears disproportionate theological weight, anchoring one of the clearest calls to decision in the Gospel. Old Testament and Second-Temple Parallels 1. Deuteronomy 30:19 sets the covenantal choice: “life and death, blessing and curse.” The Septuagint often employs cognate language for city “squares” (e.g., Isaiah 59:14) and “broad places” where injustice or idolatry is practiced, reinforcing the association of width with moral laxity. Theological Significance 1. Moral Antithesis: The broad way epitomizes permissiveness, autonomy, and crowd approval; the narrow way epitomizes repentance, obedience, and minority conviction. Contrast with the Narrow Gate Whereas the broad way is appealing, the narrow gate demands: Yet it yields abundant life (John 10:10), joy (1 Peter 1:8), and everlasting fellowship with God (Revelation 21:3–4). Reception in Church History Early catechetical manuals (e.g., Didache 1) open with “There are two ways: one of life and one of death,” mirroring Matthew 7:13–14. Reformers preached the passage to emphasize sola fide amid cultural Christianity. Modern evangelical missions similarly warn against cultural accommodation, urging entrance through the narrow gate of faith in Christ alone. Applications for Ministry Today 1. Preaching and Teaching: Expositors should present salvation as exclusive yet gracious, avoiding both universalism and legalism. Related New Testament Concepts • “Way” imagery—Acts 9:2; 19:9 Conclusion Though Strong’s 4116 surfaces only once, its metaphor shapes the entire biblical narrative and Christian worldview. Every generation must decide between the spacious thoroughfare of self-direction and the constricted but life-giving road of following Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations πλατεια πλατεία πλατεῖα πλατείαις πλατείς πλατέος πλατύ πλατυσμόν πλατυσμώ plateia plateîaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |