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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words is essential for in-depth Biblical studies, as it helps readers connect with the original meanings and cultural contexts of the scriptures. The Greek word κόκκος (kokkos), which appears in Matthew 13:31, is significant for its use in parables, particularly the Parable of the Mustard Seed. This word is integral to understanding Jesus’ teachings about faith, growth, and the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, kokkos offers a glimpse into the agricultural metaphors prevalent in ancient Greek culture and how they were utilized to convey spiritual truths.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κόκκος, transliterated as kokkos [KOK-kos].

Etymology: The term kokkos comes from a root that likely refers to a “grain” or “seed.” The word is connected to agricultural language, which is prevalent in both Greek culture and biblical writings, where seeds often symbolize the beginning of growth or a process that leads to something larger.

Part of Speech: Noun, masculine. Kokkos is a second declension noun in Greek. As a noun, it refers specifically to a “grain” or “seed” and appears in various cases depending on its grammatical role in the sentence (e.g., subject, object).

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Grain or Seed: The primary meaning of kokkos is “grain” or “seed,” often referring to the small, hard seeds of plants such as mustard or wheat. This is the sense in which it is most frequently used in the New Testament, particularly in parables that emphasize growth, potential, and transformation.
2. Metaphor for Small Beginnings: In biblical usage, kokkos also symbolizes small beginnings that lead to great outcomes, as in the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31), where a small seed grows into a large tree. This metaphor is often applied to describe faith, spiritual growth, or the expansion of God’s kingdom.
3. Symbol of Resurrection: The word kokkos is also used metaphorically in 1 Corinthians 15:36-37 to describe resurrection. Just as a seed must be buried and die to bring forth new life, so too must the physical body “die” to be raised into new, eternal life.

Exploring Similar Words

1. σπόρος (sporos) [SPO-ros]: Refers to “seed” or “sowing.” While kokkos is a specific term for a single grain or seed, sporos is more general, referring to the act of sowing seeds or the seed in a broader agricultural sense.
2. καρπός (karpos) [kar-POS]: Meaning “fruit,” it differs from kokkos as it denotes the result of growth rather than the seed itself. While kokkos is the beginning, karpos is the end product of what was sown.
3. σῖτος (sitos) [SEE-tos]: Refers to “wheat” or “grain” in general, often in a broader sense of food or produce. It differs from kokkos, which focuses on the seed’s potential rather than the harvest.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: Kokkos is a masculine noun and follows the pattern of second declension nouns in Greek. Below is a declension table for kokkos in the singular and plural forms:

For more details on Greek nouns and declensions, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Kokkos is richly examined in various lexicons, providing insights into its theological, metaphorical, and practical implications. In the New Testament, kokkos often symbolizes the hidden potential within small beginnings that yield substantial growth, reflecting spiritual truths about faith and transformation. In classical contexts, it was similarly understood as representing the small but significant—the potential inherent in the smallest of seeds to produce abundant harvests. Lexicons highlight its use to signify not just physical growth but also the idea of resurrection, transformation, and the continuation of life beyond death. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 13:31: “He presented another parable to them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds [κόκκος], but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree.'”
2. John 12:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain [κόκκος] of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
3. 1 Corinthians 15:37: “And that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain [κόκκος], perhaps of wheat or of something else.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The word kokkos offers profound insights into both Biblical and classical texts. It symbolizes potential, transformation, and spiritual truths. Used by Jesus in His parables to communicate about faith and the Kingdom of God, this small word opens a vast window into the power of metaphor in spiritual teaching and ancient agricultural practices.

Did You Know?

1. The mustard seed, often cited with the word kokkos, is not actually the smallest seed botanically, but it serves as a powerful hyperbolic metaphor in ancient Jewish and early Christian teaching.
2. In agricultural terms, the kokkos was more than just a seed; it represented the future livelihood of a family, making it a potent symbol of hope and sustenance.
3. The imagery of the grain (kokkos) dying and rising again is one of the earliest illustrations of resurrection theology, predating even the New Testament writings.