What does ἰσχυρός (ischyrós) mean in the Bible?
Ischyros is an adjective meaning strong, mighty, or powerful. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the stronger One whose worth and Spirit-giving ministry surpass his own.
Greek · G2478
ἰσχυρός
Forcible (literally or figuratively)
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ἰσχυρός G2478
Pronunciation ischyrós
What does ἰσχυρός (ischyrós) mean in the Bible?
Ischyros is an adjective meaning strong, mighty, or powerful. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the stronger One whose worth and Spirit-giving ministry surpass his own.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἰσχυρός (G2478) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G2478?
The BSB source-word alignment has 29 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include mighty (5), a mighty (3), more powerful (3), strong (2), [are] strong (1).
Where does ἰσχυρός (ischyrós) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 3:11. Its strongest book concentrations include Revelation (9), 1 Corinthians (4), Luke (4), Matthew (4).
Are there verse guides for ἰσχυρός (ischyrós)?
This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
Ischyros is an adjective meaning strong, mighty, or powerful. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the stronger One whose worth and Spirit-giving ministry surpass his own. Jesus tells of a strong man guarding his house until someone stronger overcomes him, presenting His victory over demonic power. Critics say Paul's letters are weighty and strong while his bodily presence is weak, exposing distorted standards of ministry.
Revelation portrays a mighty angel and summons birds to the feast involving the flesh of the mighty after divine judgment. The adjective marks relative or impressive strength, but power may belong to Christ, a guarded oppressor, a messenger, rhetoric, or worldly rulers facing defeat.
How the Bible Uses It
Ischyros qualifies persons or things as strong: Christ surpasses John and overcomes the armed strong man, letters appear forceful, a heavenly messenger is mighty, and earthly mighty ones fall under judgment. Strength is evaluated by source, purpose, and final outcome.
- Matt.3.11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 3:11 says the One coming after John is stronger than he and will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus' might belongs to His messianic identity and authority.
- Luke.11.21
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure.
Luke 11:21 describes a strong, armed man guarding his palace until someone stronger attacks and overcomes him. Jesus explains His expulsions of demons as kingdom victory, not collusion with Satan.
- 2Cor.10.10
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
Second Corinthians 10:10 quotes critics saying Paul's letters are weighty and strong but his bodily presence weak. Paul challenges appearance-based measures by locating authority in Christ and edification.
- Rev.10.1
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
Revelation 10:1 shows a mighty angel descending from heaven clothed with cloud and rainbow imagery. The messenger's grandeur serves God's revealed purpose and must not be confused with Christ without textual warrant.
- Rev.19.18
So that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”
Revelation 19:18 includes the flesh of mighty men in the birds' feast after the Rider's victory. Political and military strength cannot withstand the judgment of the King of kings.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It mighty 5× Hebrews 11:34, Revelation 6:15, Revelation 10:1, Revelation 18:10
a mighty 3× Revelation 5:2, Revelation 18:2, Revelation 19:6
more powerful 3× Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16
strong 2× 1 Corinthians 1:27, 1 John 2:14
[are] strong 1× 1 Corinthians 4:10
[is] stronger 1× 1 Corinthians 1:25
[someone] stronger 1× Luke 11:22
a severe 1× Luke 15:14
a strong [man’s] 1× Matthew 12:29
a strong [man] 1× Luke 11:21
a strong man’s 1× Mark 3:27
forceful 1× 2 Corinthians 10:10
loud 1× Hebrews 5:7
mighty [is the] 1× Revelation 18:8
mighty [men] 1× Revelation 19:18
strength 1× Matthew 14:30
strong [man] 1× Matthew 12:29
strong man 1× Mark 3:27
stronger 1× 1 Corinthians 10:22
strongly 1× Hebrews 6:18
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 3:11 ἰσχυρότερός to more powerful Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative Matthew 12:29 ἰσχυροῦ to a strong [man’s] Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular Matthew 12:29 ἰσχυρόν to strong [man] Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Matthew 14:30 ἰσχυρὸν to strength Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Mark 1:7 ἰσχυρότερός to more powerful Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative Mark 3:27 ἰσχυροῦ to a strong man’s Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular Mark 3:27 ἰσχυρὸν to strong man Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Luke 3:16 ἰσχυρότερός to more powerful Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative Luke 11:21 ἰσχυρὸς to a strong [man] Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Luke 11:22 ἰσχυρότερος to [someone] stronger Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 3:11
Aligned rows 29
Books represented 8
Matthew 4 Mark 3 Luke 4 1 Corinthians 4 2 Corinthians 1 Hebrews 3 1 John 1 Revelation 9
Source forms
ἰσχυρὸν 4x ischyron Matthew 14:30, Mark 3:27, Revelation 5:2, Revelation 10:1
ἰσχυρὸς 3x ischyros Luke 11:21, Revelation 18:8, Revelation 18:21
ἰσχυρότερός 3x ischyroteros Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16
ἰσχυρά 2x ischyra 1 Corinthians 1:27, Revelation 18:10
ἰσχυροί 2x ischyroi 1 Corinthians 4:10, 1 John 2:14
ἰσχυροὶ 2x ischyroi Hebrews 11:34, Revelation 6:15
ἰσχυροῦ 2x ischyrou Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27
ἰσχυρῶν 2x ischyrōn Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:18
Parsing patterns
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular 5x Matthew 12:29, Matthew 14:30, Mark 3:27, Revelation 5:2
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural 4x 1 Corinthians 4:10, Hebrews 11:34, 1 John 2:14, Revelation 6:15
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative 4x Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16, Luke 11:22
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular 3x Luke 11:21, Revelation 18:8, Revelation 18:21
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular 2x Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular 1x Hebrews 6:18
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural 1x 1 Corinthians 1:27
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular 1x Revelation 18:2
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not treat force, charisma, institutional reach, or intimidating speech as proof of godly authority.
- Do not identify Revelation's mighty angel as Christ without sufficient textual evidence.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not treat force, charisma, institutional reach, or intimidating speech as proof of godly authority.
- Do not identify Revelation's mighty angel as Christ without sufficient textual evidence.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Evidence Summary
Messiah
Greek word. Denotes physical or moral strength/power; opposite of weakness, emphasizing forceful capability rather than mere existence.
Source Gloss
forcible (literally or figuratively)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 27 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
iscuroterov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Matthew 12:29 Adjective Genitive Singular Masculine
ἰσχυροῦ iscurou
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Matthew 12:29 Adjective Accusative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρόν; iscuron
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Matthew 14:30 Adjective Accusative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρὸν iscuron
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Mark 1:7 Adjective Nominative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρότερός iscuroterov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Mark 3:27 Adjective Genitive Singular Masculine
ἰσχυροῦ, iscurou
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Mark 3:27 Adjective Accusative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρὸν iscuron
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Luke 3:16 Adjective Nominative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρότερός iscuroterov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Luke 11:21 Adjective Nominative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρὸς iscurov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Luke 11:22 Adjective Nominative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρότερος iscuroterov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse Luke 15:14 Adjective Nominative Singular Masculine
ἰσχυρὸς iscurov
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse 1 Corinthians 1:25 Adjective Nominative Singular Neuter
ἰσχυρότερον iscuroteron
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse 1 Corinthians 1:27 Adjective Accusative Plural Neuter
ἰσχυρά· iscura
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse 1 Corinthians 4:10 Adjective Nominative Plural Masculine
ἰσχυροί· iscuroi
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse 1 Corinthians 10:22 Adjective Nominative Plural Masculine
ἰσχυρότεροι iscuroteroi
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verse 2 Corinthians 10:10 Adjective Nominative Plural Feminine
ἰσχυραί· iscurai
strong, mighty, powerful
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 10 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 10 Aligned forms 29 Case pattern Nominative (16) Number pattern Singular (13)
Nominative · Plural · Masculine 1 Cor 4:10 · Heb 11:34 · 1 John 2:14 · Rev 6:15 4×
Nominative · Singular · Masculine Luke 11:21 · Rev 18:8 · Rev 18:21 3×
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Luke 15:14 · Rev 18:10 2×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter 1 Cor 1:25 1×
Nominative · Plural · Masculine 1 Cor 10:22 1×
Nominative · Plural · Feminine 2 Cor 10:10 1×
Genitive · Singular · Masculine Matt 12:29 · Mark 3:27 2×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Heb 5:7 1×
Genitive · Plural · Feminine Rev 19:6 1×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
New Testament Witnesses
stronger one
strong, mighty
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 29 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
ἰσχυρός is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Depicts Satan’s domain as powerful yet conquerable by Christ. Luke 11:14–23
Identifies Christ as superior to Satan. Mark 3:22–30
Canonical Themes
Messiah
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Ischyros makes comparison unavoidable. John is great, but Jesus is stronger and uniquely gives the Spirit. The armed guardian in Jesus' parable possesses real power, yet the stronger kingdom invader overcomes him and distributes the spoil. Corinthian critics admire forceful letters but despise embodied weakness, prompting Paul to redefine ministry authority through Christ and service.
Revelation's mighty figures range from an awe-inspiring angel to rulers whose strength ends in judgment. Scripture therefore refuses a simple equation between might and goodness. Christians worship the stronger Christ, receive delegated authority humbly, reject coercive displays, and refuse fear of rulers whose power is temporary. Strength must be judged by its source, character, use, and submission to God.
Anchor passage
Luke.11.21
Doctrinal connections
- Christology: Jesus is the stronger One who defeats the enslaving power of Satan.
- Holy Spirit and judgment: Christ's superior ministry includes baptism with the Spirit and fire.
- Kingdom conflict: exorcism signals God's reign invading and plundering the strong man's house.
- Apostolic ministry: embodied weakness does not negate Christ-given authority or truthful teaching.
- Angels: mighty messengers exercise delegated service rather than independent divine power.
- Final judgment: political and military strength collapses before the victorious King.
Ischyros is the adjective related to ischys and ischyō, meaning strong, mighty, or powerful. It may qualify persons, speech, angels, rulers, or other realities; comparison and context establish the kind of strength.
From Old to New Testament
God is repeatedly named mighty over warriors and nations, while promised deliverance includes defeat of oppressors. The New Testament identifies Jesus as the stronger kingdom victor and final King.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain