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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding specific Greek words helps us grasp the deeper meaning of key theological concepts. The Greek word λύτρον (lytron) is particularly significant as it appears in discussions about redemption and atonement in the New Testament. First found in Matthew 20:28, λύτρον is translated as “ransom,” reflecting its use in ancient Greek culture to describe the price paid to free someone from bondage or captivity. This term carries immense theological weight, as it is closely connected to the redemptive work of Christ, who offered His life as a ransom for many.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: λύτρον (lytron) [LOO-tron].
Etymology: The word λύτρον is derived from the verb λύω (lyō), meaning “to loose” or “to release.” λύτρον refers specifically to the payment or price required for the release of a captive or the redemption of a person from slavery or debt. This concept was common in the Greco-Roman world, where individuals could be ransomed through a financial transaction.
Part of Speech: Noun (neuter). As a noun, λύτρον refers to the object or price of ransom, typically involving money or a sacrifice in exchange for freedom.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Ransom: The primary meaning of λύτρον is “ransom,” a payment made to release a person from bondage, captivity, or debt. In the context of Matthew 20:28, Jesus describes His life as the ransom (λύτρον) paid to free humanity from sin and its consequences.
2. Price of Redemption: λύτρον also conveys the broader concept of a price or cost associated with redemption. This includes not just physical freedom but spiritual deliverance from sin, making it a key term in Christian soteriology.
3. Atonement: By extension, λύτρον can be understood as the means of atonement, where a sacrifice is made to satisfy the demands of justice or divine law, thus reconciling humanity with God.

Exploring Similar Words

1. ἀντίλυτρον (antilytron) [an-TEE-loo-tron]: Meaning “a corresponding ransom” or “exchange price,” this word emphasizes the idea of substitution, where one thing is given in exchange for another. It is related to λύτρον in that both describe the act of redemption, but ἀντίλυτρον highlights the idea of equivalence.
2. ἰλασμός (hilasmos) [hee-las-MOS]: This word means “propitiation” or “atonement,” focusing on the idea of appeasing divine wrath through a sacrifice. While λύτρον refers to the price paid, ἰλασμός emphasizes the effect of that payment in reconciling humanity with God.
3. ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) [ah-po-loo-TROH-sis]: Meaning “redemption” or “deliverance,” ἀπολύτρωσις is the broader term used to describe the act of setting someone free. λύτρον is the price paid, while ἀπολύτρωσις refers to the result of that payment.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun, λύτρον follows the typical declension patterns for second-declension nouns in Greek.

Case, Number, Gender:

• Case: λύτρον can appear in various cases depending on its grammatical role in the sentence. In Matthew 20:28, it is in the accusative case, indicating that it is the object of Jesus’ statement.
• Number: Singular, as it refers to one specific ransom.
• Gender: Neuter, which is common for abstract nouns in Greek.

Declension: λύτρον follows the second declension pattern for neuter nouns.

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word λύτρον appears in several key New Testament passages, most notably in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, where it is used to describe Christ’s sacrificial death as a ransom for many. In these verses, Jesus presents His life as the price paid to secure the freedom of humanity from the power of sin and death. This theological concept draws heavily from the ancient practice of paying a ransom to free captives or slaves.

In classical Greek, λύτρον was commonly used in legal and economic contexts, referring to the monetary payment required to secure someone’s release. In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), λύτρον is used to describe various forms of redemption, including the atonement offerings in the Levitical law. The New Testament writers adopted and expanded this concept, applying it to Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 20:28: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom (λύτρον) for many.”
2. Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom (λύτρον) for many.”
3. 1 Timothy 2:6: “Who gave Himself as a ransom (ἀντίλυτρον) for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

The word λύτρον has a rich history in classical Greek literature and is frequently found in legal and philosophical texts where ransom and freedom are discussed.

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word λύτρον (lytron) is essential to understanding the concept of redemption in the New Testament. As a ransom or payment made to secure release, λύτρον reflects both the physical and spiritual aspects of redemption. In the context of Jesus’ ministry, λύτρον refers to the ultimate price He paid—His life—to free humanity from the bondage of sin. This term, deeply rooted in both Greek and Jewish thought, underscores the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death and its transformative power for those who believe.

Did You Know?

1. The concept of λύτρον in the New Testament is directly linked to the Old Testament practice of paying a ransom for redemption, particularly in the book of Leviticus.
2. λύτρον is closely related to the theological idea of substitutionary atonement, where one person’s sacrifice serves as a ransom for many.
3. The imagery of λύτρον in the New Testament draws on Greco-Roman practices of ransoming prisoners of war or slaves, making the message of Christ’s ransom culturally relevant to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.