κρίνον

a lily

Definition

κρίνον refers to a lily, a type of flowering plant known for its beauty. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes wild lilies that grow naturally in the fields of Palestine, likely including species like the red anemone, the true lily, or the gladiolus. Jesus uses the term in Matthew 6:28 and Luke 12:27 to illustrate God's providential care, pointing to these flowers as examples of splendor that surpass even Solomon's glory, despite their transient, untended existence.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in parallel teachings of Jesus recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In both instances (Matthew 6:28 and Luke 12:27), it appears in the context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount/Plain, where He instructs His followers not to be anxious about material needs. The lily serves as a concrete, visual example from nature to underscore a spiritual lesson about trust in God's provision.

Etymology

Derived directly from the ancient Greek noun κρίνον, which meant 'lily.' The word is of pre-Greek, possibly Mediterranean, origin and was used in classical Greek literature for various lily-like flowers. It passed into Koine Greek without significant semantic change, retaining its core botanical meaning.

Semantic Range

Theologically, κρίνον is significant because Jesus elevates this common wildflower into a profound object lesson about divine providence and human value. It illustrates God's attentive care for His creation and, by extension, His far greater care for people. Understanding that these were likely short-lived, field-grown flowers, not cultivated garden varieties, enriches the passage by highlighting the contrast between fleeting natural beauty and eternal divine faithfulness, calling believers to a life of trust over anxiety.

In the 1st-century Palestinian context, the 'lilies of the field' Jesus referenced were common wildflowers, not the carefully bred lilies of modern gardens. Their beauty was proverbial but transient, often drying up quickly in the hot sun. This cultural understanding makes Jesus' analogy more powerful: if God lavishly adorns such temporary, uncultivated plants, how much more will He care for His enduring, beloved people? The specific botanical identity (e.g., anemone, lily) is less important than its role as a recognized symbol of natural, effortless beauty.

ἄνθος (anthos, G438) — A more general term for 'flower' or 'blossom,' emphasizing the bloom itself rather than a specific plant species.

Word Details

Scripture References