Understanding βουλευτής (bouleutēs) Strong’s G1010: The Honorable Councilman Who Changed the Course of Messianic History

Pronunciation Guide: boo-lyoo-TACE

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1010: A βουλευτής (bouleutēs) was a distinguished member of an official council or governing body in the ancient world. In the New Testament context, it specifically refers to a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jewish nation. The term carries connotations of social prestige, political influence, and civic responsibility.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine)
• Root Word: βουλή (boulē, “council, decision, plan”) + -της (suffix indicating “one who does”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Historical narrative, particularly in contexts describing governance and legal proceedings
• Frequency: Rare in the New Testament (appears only twice)

βουλευτής Morphology:

• βουλευτής (nominative singular) – a councilor/member of council
• βουλευτοῦ (genitive singular) – of a councilor
• βουλευτῇ (dative singular) – to/for a councilor
• βουλευτήν (accusative singular) – a councilor (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term βουλευτής derives from the Greek βουλή (boulē), which originally referred to a council of nobles or elders who gathered to make decisions for the community. In classical Athens, the βουλή was a council of 500 citizens who prepared business for the assembly (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia). Herodotus, in his “Histories” (5.71), mentions the βουλευταί (councilors) as those who held significant authority in civic governance.

In the Hellenistic period, as documented by Polybius in his “Histories” (23.14), the term evolved to designate members of local governing councils throughout Greek cities. The Septuagint (LXX) uses related terms like βουλή to describe advisory bodies, though βουλευτής itself appears rarely. By the Roman period, βουλευταί often corresponded to the Latin decuriones—members of municipal councils who represented the local aristocracy and administered civic affairs under Roman oversight.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A member of a governing council, particularly the Jewish Sanhedrin
• A civic dignitary or official with political standing
• A person of noble rank who participates in governmental deliberations
• An advisor or counselor to ruling authorities

βουλευτής Translation Options:

• Councilman/Council Member – Emphasizes the official governmental position and highlights the collective decision-making role
• Senator – Captures the elite status but might imply Roman rather than Jewish context
• Dignitary – Emphasizes the social prestige of the position
• Member of the Sanhedrin – Most contextually appropriate for New Testament usage, specifically identifying the Jewish governing body
• Noble Advisor – Highlights both social status and advisory function

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, βουλευτής appears only twice, both instances referring to Joseph of Arimathea. In Mark 15:43, he is described as “a respected member of the council (βουλευτής), who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God” who boldly requested Jesus’ body from Pilate. Similarly, Luke 23:50-51 identifies him as “a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council (βουλευτής), a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action.”

These references reveal the significant social and political position Joseph occupied—a member of the very council that had condemned Jesus, yet personally opposed to their verdict. His status as βουλευτής gave him the standing to approach Pilate directly with his request, a privilege not available to ordinary citizens.

• “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council [βουλευτής], who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Mark 15:43
• “Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council [βουλευτής], a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action.” Luke 23:50-51

Cultural Insights

The Sanhedrin, to which Joseph of Arimathea belonged as a βουλευτής, was the supreme council of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period. It consisted of 71 members including the High Priest, and functioned as both the supreme court and legislative body. Membership was largely drawn from aristocratic priestly families (Sadducees) and leading scholars (Pharisees), representing the political, religious, and intellectual elite of Jewish society.

For Joseph to be identified as a βουλευτής marked him as a man of considerable influence and social standing. This makes his actions following Jesus’ crucifixion all the more remarkable—he was risking his reputation, position, and possibly personal safety by openly identifying with a condemned man. The Greek term emphasizes that Joseph was not merely a passive member but an active participant in governance, making his dissent from the council’s decision particularly significant. His courage in approaching Pilate directly demonstrates how the role of βουλευτής provided privileged access to Roman authorities that ordinary Jews would not have enjoyed.

Theological Significance

The identification of Joseph of Arimathea as a βουλευτής carries profound theological implications. First, it demonstrates that even within the council that condemned Jesus, God preserved a witness to righteousness—a prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah’s words that the Messiah would be “with a rich man in his death” (Isaiah 53:9). Joseph’s position as a βουλευτής enabled him to provide an honorable burial for Jesus, preserving the dignity of the Messiah’s body and setting the stage for the resurrection.

Moreover, the presence of a βουλευτής among Jesus’ sympathizers reveals the expanding reach of the Messianic message beyond the common people to the corridors of power. It demonstrates Yahweh’s sovereignty over all human institutions—even as the Jewish council thought they were eliminating Jesus’ influence, one of their own members was secretly serving God’s purposes. Joseph represents those who must sometimes work within flawed systems while maintaining personal integrity and commitment to God’s kingdom.

The courage of this βουλευτής also illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus—Joseph moved from secret discipleship (John 19:38) to public action, risking his standing for the sake of honoring the Messiah. His example challenges believers in positions of influence to use their status for righteous purposes, even when it requires standing against the majority.

Personal Application

The example of Joseph of Arimathea as a βουλευτής speaks powerfully to believers who occupy positions of influence in their communities or workplaces. Like Joseph, we may sometimes find ourselves part of systems or organizations whose values conflict with our faith. His example teaches us that we need not abandon our positions of influence but rather can exercise them with integrity, becoming agents of God’s purposes even in unlikely places.

Consider how you might be called to be a “βουλευτής” in your own context—a person of influence who uses their position not for personal advancement but for righteousness. Perhaps you serve on a board, hold a leadership role, or have cultural capital in your community. These positions are not merely secular achievements but divine appointments that allow you to represent God’s values and care for the vulnerable, just as Joseph cared for the body of Jesus when others had abandoned Him.

Related Words

• βουλή (boulē, pronounced: boo-LAY) – council, purpose, decision, plan; the assembly itself rather than its members; often used to describe God’s sovereign plans. See G1012
• συμβούλιον (symboulion, pronounced: sim-BOO-lee-on) – a consultation, counsel, or advisory body gathered for deliberation; sometimes refers to the Sanhedrin’s deliberative sessions rather than the institution itself. See G4824
• γερουσία (gerousia, pronounced: geh-roo-SEE-ah) – council of elders, senate; used in Acts to describe the Jewish Sanhedrin, emphasizing its composition of older, respected leaders. See G1087
• πρεσβυτέριον (presbyterion, pronounced: pres-boo-TEH-ree-on) – body of elders, especially the Jewish Sanhedrin; later adopted by the early church to describe their leadership council. See G4244
• συνέδριον (synedrion, pronounced: soon-ED-ree-on) – sitting together, hence a council; the formal Greek name for the Sanhedrin, emphasizing its judicial function. See G4892

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in many Greek cities, becoming a βουλευτής was not only an honor but often a significant financial burden? Council members were expected to fund public works and festivals from their personal wealth, similar to the way synagogue leaders in the first century would often finance community needs. This helps us understand the financial resources Joseph of Arimathea likely possessed, which enabled him to provide a new tomb for Jesus.
• Did you know that archaeological evidence suggests many members of the Sanhedrin (βουλευταί) lived in the Upper City of Jerusalem in elaborate mansions? The remains of these homes feature ritual baths (mikvaot), mosaic floors, and frescoed walls, indicating the wealth and status of council members like Joseph. This contextualizes the significant social risk Joseph took in identifying with Jesus, a condemned revolutionary from Galilee.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the term βουλευτής is still used today to refer to members of the Hellenic Parliament (Βουλή των Ελλήνων)? This continuity across nearly 2,500 years demonstrates the enduring nature of the concept of representative governance that began in ancient Athens and continues to influence political systems worldwide.

Remember This

A βουλευτής reminds us that God places His people in positions of influence not for personal privilege but for divine purpose—just as Joseph of Arimathea used his council membership to serve the crucified Messiah when it mattered most.