κριτής

a judge

Definition

κριτής primarily means 'a judge' or 'one who passes judgment.' In the New Testament, it refers to human judges in legal contexts, such as the magistrate in the parable who neither feared God nor respected man (Luke 18:2, 6). It also denotes divinely appointed leaders in Israel's history, like the judges who ruled before the kings (Acts 13:20). Most significantly, the term is applied to God the Father and Jesus Christ as the ultimate, righteous judge of all humanity (Acts 10:42). This final, eschatological judgment is a key aspect of its meaning.

Biblical Usage

The word is used in various contexts across the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. In the Gospels, it often appears in parables and teachings about earthly legal disputes and reconciliation (Matthew 5:25, Luke 12:58). In Acts, it shifts to describe historical judges (Acts 13:20) and culminates in declaring Jesus as the appointed judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42). The usage pattern moves from human, imperfect adjudicators toward the perfect, divine judgment of Christ.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb κρίνω (krinō, G2919), meaning 'to judge, decide, or separate.' The noun κριτής is an agent noun, literally meaning 'a decider' or 'one who judges.' This root is central to a family of words about judgment (κρίσις, kritērion) and reflects the core idea of making a distinction or rendering a verdict.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it points directly to God's authority and justice. Understanding κριτής enriches reading by highlighting the contrast between fallible human judges and the perfect, final judgment of Christ (Acts 10:42). It connects to key doctrines of God's righteousness, eschatology, and Christology, reminding believers that Jesus is the ultimate arbiter of truth and destiny.

In the Greco-Roman world, a κριτής was a public official with legal authority to settle disputes and administer justice, often in a local court setting. The Jewish understanding, influenced by the Old Testament, included both these civil magistrates and the charismatic, military leaders raised up by God (the 'Judges'). This dual background informs the New Testament usage, where the term can bridge common civic understanding and profound theological claim.

δικαστής (dikastēs, G1348) — A more general term for a judge or juror, often in a strictly human, legal context. κρίνων (krinōn, from G2919) — The participle 'one who judges,' emphasizing the action rather than the office.

Word Details

Scripture References