Biblica Analytica
G5438G Greek

φυλακή

phulakē

prison/watch: prison

Lexicon Entry

Definition
prison/watch: prison
Transliteration
phulakē
Strong's Number
G5438G
Occurrences
42

Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

What Original Readers Understood

Explored

The Greek concept, φυλακή (phulakē), is defined as a place of confinement, equivalent to prison in English. This term appears 42 times in the Bible, highlighting its importance in ancient Greek language and culture. φυλακή is primarily used to describe a place where individuals are held captive or imprisoned, whether due to crime, punishment, or other circumstances. Its usage encompasses various settings, including official institutions, homes, and public spaces. This breadth of application suggests that φυλακή was an integral part of ancient societies, influencing daily life and social interactions. The frequency and versatility of φυλακή in the biblical text underscore its significance as a common metaphor and actual location within ancient Greek-speaking communities. Its presence in various contexts indicates the concept of confinement played a crucial role in shaping social relationships, power dynamics, and individual experiences in early Christianity's cultural heritage.

Source data & methodology
Strong's
G5438G
Lemma
φυλακή
Transliteration
phulakē
Definition
prison/watch: prison
Occurrences
42
Model
groq
Prompt version
1

AI synthesis uses only the lexicon data above as context — never training knowledge.

Occurrences in Scripture

42 total occurrences across the text

Matthew 14:10

and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

Matthew 5:25

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

Matthew 14:3

For Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

Matthew 18:30

He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.

Matthew 25:36

I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

Matthew 25:39

When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’

Matthew 25:43

I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

Matthew 25:44

“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’

Mark 6:17

For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.

Mark 6:27

Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

Luke 3:20

added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Luke 12:58

For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

Luke 21:12

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Luke 22:33

He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

Luke 23:19

one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

Luke 23:25

He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

John 3:24

for John was not yet thrown into prison.

Acts 5:19

But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said,

Acts 5:22

But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,

Acts 5:25

One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”

Acts 8:3

But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.

Acts 12:4

When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Acts 12:5

Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

Acts 12:6

The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

Acts 12:10

When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

Acts 12:17

But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Acts 16:23

When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,

Acts 16:24

who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.

Acts 16:27

The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

Acts 16:37

But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”

Acts 16:40

They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, then departed.

Acts 22:4

I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Acts 26:10

I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

2 Corinthians 6:5

in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often.

Hebrews 11:36

Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.

1 Peter 3:19

in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,

Revelation 2:10

Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 18:2

He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!

Revelation 18:2

He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!

Revelation 18:2

He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!

Revelation 20:7

And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison,