Lexical Summary stauroó: To crucify Original Word: σταυρόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance crucify. From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness -- crucify. see GREEK stauros HELPS Word-studies 4717 stauróō – to crucify, literally used of the Romans crucifying Christ on a wooden cross. "Crucify" (4717 /stauróō) is also used figuratively of putting the old self to death by submitting all decisions (desires) to the Lord. This utterly and decisively rejects the decision to live independently from Him. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom stauros Definition to fence with stakes, to crucify NASB Translation crucified (29), crucifixion (1), crucify (16). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4717: σταυρόωσταυρόω, σταυρῷ; future σταυρώσω; 1 aorist ἐσταυρωσα; passive, present σταύρομαι; perfect ἐσταύρωμαι; 1 aorist ἐσταυρωθην; (σταυρός, which see); 1. to stake, drive down stakes: Thucydides 7, 25, 6 (here οἱ Συρακοσιοι ἐσταύρωσαν, which the Scholiast renders σταυρους κατέπηξαν). 2. to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade: a place, Thucydides 6, 100; Diodorus 3. to crucify (Vulg.crucifigo): τινα, a. properly: Matthew 20:19; Matthew 23:34; Matthew 26:2; Matthew 27:22,( b. metaphorically: τήν σάρκα, to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain (but note the aorist)), Galatians 5:24; ἐσταύρωμαι τίνι, and ἐσταύρωται μοι τί, I have been crucified to something and it has been crucified to me, so that we are dead to each other all fellowship and contact between us has ceased, Galatians 6:14. (Compare: ἀνασταυρόω, σὑν᾿σταυρόω.) Topical Lexicon Scope of New Testament Usage The verb appears forty–six times across the Greek New Testament, concentrated in four principal settings: (1) Christ’s own prophecies of His death (for example Matthew 20:19; 26:2), (2) the Gospel narratives that record the act itself (such as Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:25; Luke 23:33; John 19:18), (3) apostolic preaching that indicts hearers for the deed (Acts 2:36; Acts 4:10), and (4) theological reflection, especially in Paul, where the crucifixion anchors proclamation, ethics, and personal identity (1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:24). A single eschatological occurrence in Revelation 11:8 ties the historical event to the consummation of all things. Historical Background of Crucifixion Under Roman rule crucifixion served as the most degrading public execution—reserved for slaves, rebels, and the vilest criminals. Victims were first scourged, then either tied or nailed to a wooden beam affixed to an upright stake, left to die by asphyxiation, shock, and exposure. This shameful punishment fulfilled the Old Testament curse on one “hung on a tree” and underscores both the depth of Christ’s humiliation and the magnitude of His love. Prophetic Anticipation and Fulfillment Jesus repeatedly foretold the manner of His death: “the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified” (Matthew 26:2). These predictions answer Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, demonstrating divine foreknowledge and sovereign purpose. Luke 24:7 records the angelic reminder that the crucifixion was “necessary,” anchoring redemption history in God’s eternal counsel. Narrative Occurrences in the Gospels The evangelists detail the event with sober precision: Crowd imperatives (“Crucify Him!” Matthew 27:22; John 19:15) expose human hostility, while the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19-20) reveals the irony of His royal identity. The narratives consistently portray the cross as both judicial miscarriage and saving act. Apostolic Preaching and Accusations Pentecost preaching confronts Israel: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The same charge echoes before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:10). These sermons declare guilt yet immediately offer forgiveness through the risen, exalted Christ, affirming both human responsibility and divine grace. Pauline Theology of the Cross 1 Corinthians 1–2 positions the crucified Messiah at the heart of the gospel: “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23); “I resolved to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). For Paul the cross is definitive for: Cruciform Discipleship Union with Christ’s death shapes Christian living. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). Boasting is redirected: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). The verb therefore extends beyond historical fact to ongoing sanctification. Christological Significance The crucifixion secures atonement, reconciliation, and victory over sin and Satan. The suffering Servant voluntarily bore the curse, satisfying divine justice while displaying perfect obedience. The cross thus stands as the decisive revelation of God’s righteousness and love. Eschatological Reference Revelation 11:8 links the past event to future judgment: the bodies of the two witnesses lie where “their Lord was also crucified,” a reminder that the city which rejected its Messiah will face ultimate accountability. Implications for Ministry and Worship Preaching, sacraments, and pastoral care draw their substance from the crucified Lord. Evangelism centers on the finished work of the cross; the Lord’s Supper proclaims His death “until He comes”; and personal counseling calls believers to nail sinful desires to the cross. Every sphere of church life finds power, motivation, and hope in the One who was crucified yet now lives forever. Forms and Transliterations εσταυρωθη εσταυρώθη ἐσταυρώθη εσταυρωμενον εσταυρωμένον εσταυρώμενον ἐσταυρωμένον εσταυρωμενος εσταυρωμένος ἐσταυρωμένος εσταυρωσαν εσταύρωσαν ἐσταύρωσαν εσταυρωσατε εσταυρώσατε ἐσταυρώσατε εσταυρωται εσταύρωται ἐσταύρωται Σταυρου Σταύρου σταυρουνται σταυρούνται σταυροῦνται σταυρούσι σταυρουσιν σταυροῦσιν σταυρωθη σταυρωθή σταυρωθῇ σταυρωθηναι σταυρωθήναι σταυρωθῆναι Σταυρωθητω Σταυρωθήτω σταυρωσαι σταυρώσαι σταυρώσαί σταυρῶσαι σταυρῶσαί σταυρωσαντες σταυρώσαντες σταυρωσατε σταυρώσατε σταυρωσετε σταυρώσετε Σταυρωσον Σταύρωσον σταυρωσω σταυρώσω σταυρωσωσιν σταυρώσωσιν σταφίδας σταφίδες σταφίδος σταφίδων estauromenon estauroménon estaurōmenon estaurōménon estauromenos estauroménos estaurōmenos estaurōménos estaurosan estaurōsan estaúrosan estaúrōsan estaurosate estaurōsate estaurṓsate estaurotai estaurōtai estaúrotai estaúrōtai estaurothe estaurōthē estaurṓthe estaurṓthē staurosai staurôsai staurôsaí staurōsai staurō̂sai staurō̂saí staurosantes staurōsantes staurṓsantes staurosate staurōsate staurṓsate staurosete staurōsete staurṓsete stauroso staurōsō staurṓso staurṓsō Stauroson Staurōson Staúroson Staúrōson staurososin staurōsōsin staurṓsosin staurṓsōsin staurothe staurōthē staurothêi staurōthē̂i staurothenai staurothênai staurōthēnai staurōthē̂nai Staurotheto Staurothḗto Staurōthētō Staurōthḗtō Staurou Staúrou staurountai stauroûntai staurousin stauroûsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 20:19 V-ANAGRK: μαστιγῶσαι καὶ σταυρῶσαι καὶ τῇ NAS: and scourge and crucify [Him], and on the third KJV: and to crucify [him]: and INT: to flog and to crucify and the Matthew 23:34 V-FIA-2P Matthew 26:2 V-ANP Matthew 27:22 V-AMP-3S Matthew 27:23 V-AMP-3S Matthew 27:26 V-ASP-3S Matthew 27:31 V-ANA Matthew 27:35 V-APA-NMP Matthew 27:38 V-PIM/P-3P Matthew 28:5 V-RPM/P-AMS Mark 15:13 V-AMA-2S Mark 15:14 V-AMA-2S Mark 15:15 V-ASP-3S Mark 15:20 V-ASA-3P Mark 15:24 V-PIA-3P Mark 15:25 V-AIA-3P Mark 15:27 V-PIA-3P Mark 16:6 V-RPM/P-AMS Luke 23:21 V-PMA-2S Luke 23:21 V-PMA-2S Luke 23:23 V-ANP Luke 23:33 V-AIA-3P Luke 24:7 V-ANP Luke 24:20 V-AIA-3P John 19:6 V-AMA-2S Strong's Greek 4717 |
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