καθαρός
katharos
clean
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "katharos" (G2513), meaning "clean," appears 28 times in the Bible. This word encompasses a range of connotations including physical cleanliness, moral purity, and spiritual wholeness. Its usage varies from describing external cleanliness, such as washing one's hands (Matthew 15:20), to referring to internal righteousness (Acts 15:9). The significance of "katharos" becomes apparent in its association with spiritual concepts like holiness and redemption. In passages where "katharos" is used in conjunction with spiritual purification (John 13:10, Hebrews 9:13-14), it highlights the importance of moral and spiritual cleanliness in one's relationship with God. Conversely, examples of physical cleanliness without spiritual purification (Matthew 15:1-3, Mark 7:1-5) showcase the limitations of external cleanliness. The frequency of "katharos" in the Bible underscores its importance as a concept, signifying not only physical cleanliness but also the pursuit of moral and spiritual purity. By examining its range of usage, we can better understand the multifaceted nature of "katharos" and its connection to broader themes of faith and spiritual growth.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
28 total occurrences across the text
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 27:59Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 23:26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.
Luke 11:41But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.
John 13:10Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”
John 13:10Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”
John 13:11For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”
John 15:3You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Acts 18:6When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
Acts 20:26Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
Romans 14:20Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating.
1 Timothy 1:5but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith,
1 Timothy 3:9holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Titus 1:15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Titus 1:15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Titus 1:15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Revelation 15:6The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts.
Hebrews 10:22let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,
James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
1 Peter 1:22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,
Revelation 19:8It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:14The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.
Revelation 21:18The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
Revelation 21:18The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
Revelation 21:21The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 22:1He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,