Understanding ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos) Strong’s G443: The Murderer of Mankind and Spiritual Nature of Evil

Pronunciation Guide: an-thro-po-KTO-nos (emphasis on the third syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G443: The Greek word ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos) literally means “man-killer” or “murderer of humans.” This powerful compound term appears in the New Testament specifically to describe the devil as one who has been a murderer from the beginning. It conveys not just physical homicide but the deeper spiritual reality of one who destroys human life and brings death both physically and spiritually.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine)
• Compound Word: Formed from ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, “human”) + κτείνω (kteinō, “to kill”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in theological discourse about evil and the nature of the devil
• Frequency: Rare, appearing only twice in the New Testament, both occurrences in John 8:44

ἀνθρωποκτόνος Morphology:

• ἀνθρωποκτόνος (nominative singular) – a murderer, man-slayer
• ἀνθρωποκτόνου (genitive singular) – of a murderer
• ἀνθρωποκτόνῳ (dative singular) – to/for a murderer
• ἀνθρωποκτόνον (accusative singular) – a murderer (direct object)

Origin & History

The compound ἀνθρωποκτόνος has ancient roots in classical Greek literature where compound words using κτείνω (to kill) were used to describe various types of killers. While not frequently used in classical Greek, similar compound constructions appear in works like Homer’s Iliad where specialized terms for different types of killing are employed.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while this exact term doesn’t appear, the concept is present in passages describing murder, beginning with Cain’s killing of Abel in Genesis 4. The Jewish understanding of murder was deeply tied to the commandment against murder in Exodus 20:13, which uses the Hebrew רָצַח (ratsach). The concept of the devil as the original murderer likely draws on these early biblical narratives of death entering human experience.

By the time of the New Testament, this term had developed specific theological weight, especially in Johannine literature where it is used to describe the essence of the adversary’s character. Early church fathers like Irenaeus in “Against Heresies” and Origen in “Against Celsus” further developed the concept of the devil as ἀνθρωποκτόνος, linking it to both physical death and spiritual destruction.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Literal Murderer – One who physically takes human life
• Spiritual Destroyer – One who brings spiritual death and separation from God
• Source of Death – The originator of death entering human experience
• Soul-Killer – One who destroys not just bodies but souls

ἀνθρωποκτόνος Translation Options:

• Murderer – The most common translation, focusing on the act of taking human life, but potentially missing the spiritual dimension
• Man-slayer – A more literal rendering of the compound parts, emphasizing the human aspect of the victims
• Murderer of mankind – Captures both the act and the universal scope of the destruction
• Homicide – A more clinical translation that may not fully convey the spiritual weight
• Destroyer of humanity – A translation that captures both physical and spiritual dimensions

Biblical Usage

The term ἀνθρωποκτόνος appears exclusively in Johannine literature, and its use is targeted and theological rather than descriptive of common criminals. In John 8:44, Yeshua (Jesus) uses this term to describe the devil’s essential nature, linking the concept of murder with the concept of falsehood. This creates a powerful theological connection between death and deception that pervades Johannine theology.

The context of this usage is significant—Yeshua is in a heated exchange with religious leaders who claim to be children of Abraham, but whose actions reveal a different spiritual parentage. By using ἀνθρωποκτόνος, Yeshua is not merely insulting His opponents but revealing the spiritual reality behind human choices and actions. This usage reflects the Johannine theme that spiritual realities manifest in visible actions.

• “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer [ἀνθρωποκτόνος] from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.” John 8:44
• “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer [ἀνθρωποκτόνος]; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish thought, murder was not merely a physical act but a spiritual violation that defiled both the land and the community. The Hebrew concept behind murder (רָצַח – ratsach) in the Ten Commandments was understood as more than just homicide—it represented an assault on the image of God in which humans were created. When Yeshua and later John use ἀνθρωποκτόνος, they are drawing on this rich tradition that sees murder as a theological offense, not just a criminal one.

The connection to “from the beginning” in John 8:44 would have immediately brought to mind for Jewish listeners the story of Cain and Abel—the first murder—and implicitly identifies the devil as the spiritual influence behind that pivotal event. This understanding is reinforced in rabbinic literature where the “evil inclination” (yetzer hara) is often personified as a spiritual entity that leads humans toward destruction.

Moreover, in the Greco-Roman world, murder was seen not just as a crime against an individual but against the gods and the natural order. By describing the devil as ἀνθρωποκτόνος, the New Testament writers were identifying him as an enemy not just of individual humans but of God’s created order and divine purposes.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀνθρωποκτόνος reveals a profound spiritual reality about the nature of evil. By identifying the devil as a murderer “from the beginning,” Scripture teaches that death—both physical and spiritual—was never part of Yahweh’s original design for humanity. This affirms the goodness of God’s creation and places responsibility for death squarely in the realm of rebellion against divine order.

Moreover, the linking of murder with falsehood in John 8:44 reveals the inseparable connection between truth and life in biblical theology. The devil murders through deception—leading humans away from truth and therefore from the source of life. This provides a powerful counterpoint to Yeshua’s self-identification as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Where the devil brings death through lies, the Messiah brings life through truth.

The extension of ἀνθρωποκτόνος to those who hate in 1 John 3:15 demonstrates that in God’s economy, spiritual realities precede and transcend physical actions. This elevates the Torah’s prohibition against murder from mere behavioral compliance to heart transformation, echoing Yeshua’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount that anger makes one liable to judgment (Matthew 5:21-22).

Personal Application

Understanding ἀνθρωποκτόνος challenges us to examine the subtle ways we might participate in death-dealing systems or attitudes. When we spread falsehood, harbor hatred, or contribute to structures that diminish human dignity, we align ourselves—however unwittingly—with the murderous character that Scripture attributes to the adversary. Conversely, when we speak truth, choose love, and work for the flourishing of others, we reflect the life-giving character of God.

This word also offers profound comfort by naming evil accurately. By identifying the devil as the original murderer, Scripture assures us that death, suffering, and destruction are intruders in God’s good creation—not built into its design. This truth frees us from the despair of fatalism and empowers us to participate in God’s redemptive work of restoring life where death has held sway.

Related Words

• φονεύς (phoneus) – killer, murderer; refers more generally to anyone who commits homicide without the specific compound emphasis on killing humans. This term is more commonly used for ordinary murderers. See G5406
• φόνος (phonos) – murder, slaughter; the abstract noun referring to the act of killing rather than the person who commits it. It appears in lists of vices and descriptions of violent events. See G5408
• ἀδελφοκτόνος (adelphoktonos) – brother-killer; a similar compound construction used in extra-biblical literature to describe someone like Cain who kills his own brother. See related concept in G5384
• πατροκτόνος (patroktonos) – father-killer; another compound using the -κτόνος suffix, referring specifically to one who kills their father. See related concept in G3964
• ψευδής (pseudēs) – false, lying; while not directly related to killing, this term is theologically connected to ἀνθρωποκτόνος in John 8:44 where lying and murder are presented as twin characteristics of the devil. See G5571

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the connection between falsehood and murder in John 8:44 reflects an ancient Jewish understanding found in the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Community Rule scroll (1QS) describes the “spirit of falsehood” as leading to “greed, falsehood, pride…cruelty, deceit, and fraud”—essentially seeing deception as the root of various forms of violence against others.
• Did you know that early Christian martyrs turned the concept of ἀνθρωποκτόνος on its head? While Roman authorities accused Christians of being enemies of humanity (similar to “man-killers”), early Christian apologists like Justin Martyr argued that it was actually the persecutors who were the true “murderers of mankind” by attacking those who bore witness to divine truth.
• Did you know that modern psychology has confirmed the biblical connection between deception and destruction? Studies in cognitive psychology have demonstrated that self-deception often precedes harmful behavior toward others, as individuals must first justify to themselves why their harmful actions are acceptable—precisely the connection that John 8:44 makes between the devil as liar and murderer.

Remember This

ἀνθρωποκτόνος reveals that wherever truth is compromised, death gains entry; but in embracing the Truth who is the Messiah, we participate in His victory over the murderer from the beginning.