Original Word: πρεσβύτερος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: presbuteros
Pronunciation: pres-boo'-ter-os
Phonetic Spelling: (pres-boo'-ter-os)
KJV: elder(-est), old
NASB: elders, elder, men of old, old men, older, older man, older ones
Word Origin: [comparative of presbus "elderly"]

1. older
2. (as noun) a senior
3. (specially) an Israelite Sanhedrist
4. (figuratively) member of the celestial council
5. (Christian) "presbyter"

eldest, old.

Comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter" -- elder(-est), old.

4245 presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.

The NT specifies elders are men. (The feminine singular, presbytera, never occurs in the Bible.)

[The feminine plural, presbyteras, occurs in 1 Tim 5:2. It refers to aged women, i.e. not women with an official church office or title.]

Word Origin
a cptv. of presbus (an old man)
Definition
elder
NASB Translation
elder (3), elders (57), men of old (1), old men (1), older (1), older man (1), older ones (1), older women (1), women (1).

STRONGS NT 4245: πρεσβύτερος

πρεσβύτερος, πρεσβυτέρα, πρεσβύτερον (comparitive of πρέσβυς) (from Homer down), elder; used:

1. of age;

a. where two persons are spoken of, the elder: ὁ υἱός ὁ πρεσβύτερος (Aelian v. h. 9, 42), Luke 15:25.

b. universally, advanced in life, an elder, a senior: opposed to νεανίσκοι, Acts 2:17; opposed to νεώτερος, 1 Timothy 5:1f (Genesis 18:11f; Wis. 8:10; Sir. 6:34 (33); ; 2 Macc. 8:30). οἱ πρεσβύτεροι (A. V. the elders), forefathers, Hebrews 11:2; παράδοσις (which see) τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, received from the fathers, Matthew 15:2; Mark 7:3, 5.

2. a term of rank or office; as such borne by,

a. among the Jews, α. members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from the elderly men): Matthew 16:21; Matthew 26:47, 57, 59 Rec.; ; Mark 8:31; Mark 11:27; Mark 14:43, 53; Mark 15:1; Luke 9:22; Luke 20:1; Luke 22:52; John 8:9; Acts 4:5, 23; Acts 6:12; Acts 23:14; Acts 24:1; with the addition of τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, Acts 4:8 R G; of τῶν Ἰουδαίων, Acts 25:15; of τοῦ λαοῦ, Matthew 21:23; Matthew 26:3; Matthew 27:1. β. those who in the separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice: Luke 7:3. (Cf. BB. DD., under the word .)

b. among Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches): Acts 11:30; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22; Acts 16:4; Acts 21:18; 1 Timothy 5:17, 19; Titus 1:5; 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1, 5; with τῆς ἐκκλησίας added, Acts 20:17; James 5:14. That they did not differ at all from the (ἐπίσκοποι) bishops or overseers (as is acknowledged also by Jerome on Titus 1:5 (cf. Lightfoot's Commentary on Philippians, pp. 98f, 229f)) is evident from the fact that the two words are used indiscriminately, Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7, and that the duty of presbyters is described by the terms ἐπισκοπεῖν, 1 Peter 5:1f, and ἐπισκοπή, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 44, 1 [ET]; accordingly only two ecclesiastical officers, οἱ ἐπίσκοποι and οἱ διάκονοι, are distinguished in Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1, 8. The title ἐπίσκοπος denotes the function, πρεσβύτερος the dignity; the former was borrowed from Greek institutions, the latter from the Jewish; cf. (Lightfoot, as above, pp. 95ff, 191ff); Ritschl, Die Entstehung der altkathol. Kirche, edition 2, p. 350ff; Hase, Protest. Polemik, edition 4, p. 98ff; (Hatch, Bampton Lects. for 1880, Lect. 3 and Harnack's Analecten appended to the German translation of the same (p. 229ff); also Harnack's note on Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 1, 3 [ET] (cf. references at 44 at the beginning), and Hatch in Dict. of Christ. Antiq., under the word . Cf. ἐπίσκοπος.). the twenty-four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court, seated on thrones around the throne of God: Revelation 4:4, 10; Revelation 5:5, 6, 8, 11, 14; Revelation 7:11, 13; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 19:4.

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4245, presbuteros, most often designates an “elder.” In the Greek Scriptures the word refers either to an older person, to members of the Jewish ruling body, or to the Spirit-appointed office-bearers who shepherd Christ’s church. The term appears sixty-six times and forms a vital link between Israel’s tribal leadership, the synagogue system, and New Testament congregational life.

Old Testament Background

Although presbuteros is Greek, its conceptual roots lie in the Hebrew zāqēn, the “elder” of the community (Exodus 3:16; Deuteronomy 21:2). These elders represented the people before Moses, judged disputes, and transmitted covenant truth to successive generations. By the first century a formal body of elders functioned in virtually every Jewish locality (Luke 7:3; 20:1).

Elders in Second Temple Judaism

The Gospels employ presbuteros for the respected lay leaders who, together with chief priests and scribes, formed the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:3; Mark 11:27; Acts 4:5). They supervised temple affairs, enforced tradition (Matthew 15:2; Mark 7:3-5), and opposed Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 16:21; 26:47). Their hostility culminated in the trial and crucifixion narratives (Matthew 27:1, 12, 41).

Usage in the Gospels

In the parables presbuteros can signify age rather than office, such as “the older son” in Luke 15:25. The term likewise distinguishes generations: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day” (John 8:56), where “the older ones” left first at Jesus’ conviction of sin (John 8:9). Yet even here the connotation of dignity and responsibility persists.

Role in the Early Church

Beginning at Pentecost, eldership becomes a normative pattern of congregational oversight.

• Jerusalem Church – Apostles and elders jointly discern doctrine and mission (Acts 11:30; 15:4-23; 21:18).
• Gentile Mission – Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church, praying with fasting” (Acts 14:23). These local elders embody plurality, parity, and pastoral care.
• Regional Unity – As Paul traveled, he delivered the Jerusalem decrees, “which had been decided by the apostles and elders” (Acts 16:4), demonstrating the elders’ doctrinal authority.

Pastoral Epistles and Church Order

Presbuteros and episkopos (overseer) are used interchangeably (Titus 1:5-7). Elders must be “above reproach,” apt to teach, and models in home life. Timothy is charged: “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but appeal to him as to a father; treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers” (1 Timothy 5:1-2). Accusations against an elder require two or three witnesses, balancing honor and accountability (1 Timothy 5:19). Those “who rule well” receive “double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).

Worship in Revelation

Twenty-four heavenly elders cast crowns before the throne (Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:8-14; 11:16; 19:4). They worship the Lamb, interpret visions (Revelation 7:13-17), and sing the new song (Revelation 14:3). Their number likely reflects the unified people of God (twelve tribes, twelve apostles), underscoring the continuity of covenant leadership.

Qualifications and Character

Key lists (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4) emphasize moral integrity, doctrinal soundness, and shepherding heart. Elders are to be humble, vigilant against greed, and examples to the flock. Younger believers are urged, “Submit yourselves to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).

Functions: Shepherding, Teaching, Oversight

Scripture presents elders as:

1. Shepherds – “Be shepherds of God’s flock…watching over them” (1 Peter 5:2).
2. Teachers – They must “hold firmly to the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:9).
3. Decision-Makers – They participate in discipline (Matthew 18 principle applied; Acts 15 example).
4. Intercessors – “Is anyone sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him” (James 5:14).

Relationship to Other Church Leaders

Apostles pioneered; elders stabilized. Deacons serve practical needs, freeing elders for prayer and ministry of the word (Acts 6:1-4; implicit in the development of offices). Prophets and teachers function alongside elders in Antioch (Acts 13:1), illustrating complementary gifts under elder oversight.

Honor and Accountability

While elders deserve respect, they remain subject to Scripture and congregational witness. Public rebuke of persistent sin guards the flock (1 Timothy 5:20). The Chief Shepherd will reward faithful elders with “the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).

Contemporary Application

Modern churches derive their polity, pastoral qualifications, and disciplinary procedures from the presbuteros pattern. The continuity from Israel’s elders, through the synagogue, to the apostolic church affirms God’s consistent design for spiritual oversight rooted in character, plurality, and servant leadership.

πρεσβυτέρα πρεσβυτέραι πρεσβυτερας πρεσβυτέρας πρεσβυτεροι πρεσβύτεροι πρεσβύτεροί πρεσβυτεροις πρεσβυτέροις πρεσβύτερον ΠΡΕΣΒΥΤΕΡΟΣ πρεσβύτερος πρεσβυτερου πρεσβυτέρου πρεσβύτερου πρεσβυτερους πρεσβυτέρους Πρεσβυτερω πρεσβυτέρω Πρεσβυτέρῳ πρεσβυτερων πρεσβυτέρων πρεσβύτης presbuteras Presbutero Presbuterō presbuteroi presbuterois presbuteron presbuterōn PRESBUTEROS presbuterou presbuterous presbyteras presbytéras Presbytero Presbyterō presbyteroi Presbytéroi Presbytérōi presbýteroi presbyterois presbytérois presbyteron presbyterōn presbytéron presbytérōn PRESBYTEROS presbýteros presbyterou presbytérou presbyterous presbytérousInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts