αἰτία
aitia
cause/charge
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word αἰτία (aitia) carries a dual meaning of "cause" and "charge." This concept is used 20 times in the Bible, highlighting its significance in various contexts. In its role as "cause," αἰτία refers to the underlying reason or explanation for a particular event or situation. This usage is often seen in discussions of divine intervention, where αἰτία helps to understand the motivations behind God's actions. In its role as "charge," αἰτία implies a sense of accusation or responsibility. Here, the word is used to describe the grounds for blame or the reasons for a particular consequence. This usage is often seen in situations where an individual or group is held accountable for their actions. The dual nature of αἰτία underscores the importance of understanding the underlying causes and motivations behind events, as well as the consequences of one's actions. The frequency of αἰτία's appearance in the Bible (20 times) suggests its importance in various contexts, from discussions of divine intervention to explanations of human responsibility. Its dual meaning highlights the complex interplay between cause and effect, and the need to consider both the underlying reasons for events and the consequences of one's actions.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences across the text
Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
Matthew 19:10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
Matthew 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Mark 15:26The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Luke 8:47When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
John 18:38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
John 19:4Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
John 19:6When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”
Acts 10:21Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”
Acts 13:28Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.
Acts 22:24the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.
Acts 23:28Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
Acts 25:18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed;
Acts 25:27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”
Acts 28:18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
Acts 28:20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
2 Timothy 1:6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:12For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
Titus 1:13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Hebrews 2:11For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,