μέγας
megas
great
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word μέγας (megas) is a term that conveys the concept of greatness. With 246 occurrences in the Bible, it is a frequently used word that carries significant meaning. Its primary definition is "great," encompassing a range of qualities such as size, importance, and magnitude. Megas is used to describe various aspects of life, including physical size (e.g., mountains, cities), social status (e.g., leaders, nobles), and spiritual significance (e.g., God's power, blessings). Its usage is not limited to positive connotations, as it can also describe negative aspects, such as great troubles or great sins. This versatility highlights the word's ability to convey a wide range of meanings. The frequency and variety of megas' usage in the Bible underscore its importance as a fundamental concept in the Greek language. Its significance extends beyond mere description, as it often carries emotional and evaluative connotations, influencing the reader's perception and understanding of the events and characters described.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
246 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 4:16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
Matthew 5:19Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Matthew 7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Matthew 8:24Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 12:6But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
Matthew 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
Matthew 18:1In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 18:4Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 20:25But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:31The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Matthew 22:36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
Matthew 22:38This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 23:11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
Matthew 23:17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
Matthew 23:19You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Matthew 24:21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Matthew 24:24For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
Matthew 24:31He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:50Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
Matthew 27:60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
Matthew 28:2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.
Matthew 28:8They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
Mark 1:26The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
Mark 4:32yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”
Mark 4:32yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”
Mark 4:37A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
Mark 4:39He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:41They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 5:7and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.”
Mark 5:11Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding.
Mark 5:42Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.
Mark 9:34But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest.
Mark 10:42Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
Mark 10:43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
Mark 12:31The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 13:2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”
Mark 14:15He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”
Mark 15:34At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Mark 15:37Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
Mark 16:4for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.
Luke 1:15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,