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σταυρόςStrong’s G4716

stauros

Appears in 28 verses of the New Testament

In short

Stauros is the Greek word usually translated “cross”. It appears in 28 verses of the New Testament.

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
Matthew 10:38 KJV
Meaning

Usually translated “cross”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.

How it's translated
  • cross 27
  • of cross 1

Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.

Where it's used most
  • Matthew 5
  • Mark 5
  • John 4
  • Luke 3
  • Galatians 3
  • 1 Corinthians 2

10 books in all.

Related words
Explore in Scripture
All 28 verses, by book
1 Corinthians 2
1:171:18
Galatians 3
5:116:126:14
Ephesians 1
2:16
Philippians 2
2:83:18
Colossians 2
1:202:14
Hebrews 1
12:2
Greek dictionary

σταυρός stauros · cross

σταυρός, -oῦ, ὁ 1. an upright pale or stake (Hom., Hdt., Thuc., al.) 2. In late writers (Diod., Plut., al.) of the Roman instrument of crucifixion, the Cross: of the Cross on which Christ suffered, Mat.27:32, 40 27:42, Mrk.15:21, 30 15:32, Luk.23:26, Jhn.19:17, 19 19:25, 31, Col.2:14, Heb.12:2; θάνατος σταυροῦ, Php.2:8; τ. αἷμα τοῦ σ., Col.1:20. Metaphorical, in proverbial sayings: αἴρειν (λαμβάνειν, βαστάζειν) τὸν σ., Mat.10:38 16:24, Mrk.8:34 10:21, 15:21, Luk.9:23 14:27 (for an interesting ex. of metaphorically use in π., see MM, xxiii) By meton., for Christ's death on the Cross: 1Co.1:17 …

From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

How the English word “cross” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.

CROSS, noun

[G., Latin ]

  1. A gibbet consisting of two pieces of timber placed across each other, either in form of a T or of an X.
  2. The ensign of the Christian religion; and hence figuratively, the religion itself.
  3. A monument with a cross upon it to excite devotion, such as were anciently set in market places.
  4. Any thing in the form of a cross or gibbet.
All definitions and other forms of “cross”
  1. A line drawn through another.
  2. Any thing that thwarts, obstructs, or perplexes; hindrance; vexation; misfortune; opposition; trial of patience.
  3. Money or coin stamped with the figure of a cross
  4. The right side or face of a coin, stamped with a cross
  5. The mark of a cross instead of a signature, on a deed, formerly impressed by those who could not write.
  6. Church lands in Ireland.
  7. In theology, the suffering of Christ by crucifixion.“That he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross” Ephesians 2:16
  8. The doctrine of Christs sufferings and of the atonement, or of salvation by Christ.“The preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness” 1 Corinthians 1:18
  9. In mining, two nicks cut in the surface of the earth, thus +.

CROSS, adjective

  1. Transverse; oblique; passing from side to side; falling athwart; as a cross beam.
  2. Adverse; opposite; obstructing; sometimes with to; as an event cross to our inclinations.
  3. Perverse; untractable; as the cross circumstances of a mans temper.
  4. Peevish; fretful; ill-humored; applied to persons or things; as a cross woman or husband; a cross answer.
  5. Contrary; contradictory; perplexing.
  6. Adverse; unfortunate.
  7. Interchanged; as a cross marriage, when a brother and sister intermarry with two persons who have the same relation to each other.
  8. Noting what belongs to an adverse party; as a cross interrogatory.

CROSS, preposition

Athwart; transversely; over; from side to side; so as to intersect.

    CROSS, verb transitive

    1. To draw or run a line, or lay a body across another; as, to cross a word in writing; to cross the arms.
    2. To erase; to cancel; as, to cross an account.
    3. To make the sign of the cross as catholics in devotion.
    4. To pass from side to side; to pass or move over; as, to cross a road; to cross a river, or the ocean.
    5. To thwart; to obstruct; to hinder; to embarrass; as, to cross a purpose or design.
    6. To counteract; to clash or interfere with; to be inconsistent with; as, natural appetites may cross our principles.
    7. To counteract or contravene; to hinder by authority; to stop. [See No. 5.]
    8. To contradict.
    9. To debar or preclude.

    CROSS, verb intransitive

    1. To lie or be athwart.
    2. To move or pass laterally, or from one side towards the other, or from place to place, either at right angles or obliquely; as, to cross from Nantucket to New Bedford.
    3. To be inconsistent; as, mens actions d not always cross with reason.

    Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.

    Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.