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μαθητής

mathētḗs

G3101 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who learns from another, a student or follower; in various contexts, specifically a pupil closely associated with a teacher, often marked by commitment to both instruction and the way of life of the teacher. In philosophical, rhetorical, or religious schools, refers to an adherent who engages in learning and practices in accordance with a teacher's example or doctrine. In the New Testament, particularly, it denotes those who align themselves with the teachings and person of Jesus or another recognized leader.

Semantic Range

learner, pupil, student, follower, adherent to a teacher or movement, especially one engaging deeply with instruction and lifestyle; in the New Testament, specifically, one who aligns with the instruction and person of Jesus or another recognized leader

Root / Etymology

From the verb μανθάνω (to learn), μαθητής is a derivative form meaning 'learner' or 'one who learns.' The form involves the agentive suffix -τής, designating a person characterized by the action or state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μαθητής broadly referred to anyone engaged in learning, whether from a philosopher, artisan, or rhetorician. In the Hellenistic period and in the New Testament, the term takes on a more specific connotation of close association and commitment to a particular teacher. In the Gospels and Acts, μαθηταί refers almost exclusively to those who followed Jesus, forming a defined group of adherents distinguished from the general crowds. The term is also used for disciples of other figures (e.g., John the Baptizer). English translations often render μαθητής as 'disciple,' a term that can obscure the everyday sense of 'student' or 'learner' implied in contemporary Greek use. While in later Christian tradition 'disciple' acquires a technical or exclusive sense, the term itself in Koine Greek could refer to any follower dedicated to acquiring knowledge and practice from a recognized leader, not solely in religious contexts. Neither English 'student' nor 'disciple' captures the full relational and formative aspect of the Greek term, which presupposes both instruction and imitation. The earliest attestation of the word is in classical Greek, especially in pedagogical and philosophical settings; by the first century, it is widely attested in Jewish and Greco-Roman educational-religious environments.

Translation Consistency

primary "disciple" 49 occurrences

Mathētēs consistently denotes a committed learner/follower of a teacher (especially of Jesus). "Disciple" best captures both learning and loyal following in natural, familiar English, aligns with traditional NT usage, and fits the primary semantic range better than the more clinical "learner." Using the singular base form allows regular inflection for number and case as needed.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"learner" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.

Root Family

μαθ- (mathētḗs) — to learn, to acquire knowledge

Root μαθ- to learn, to acquire knowledge

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3101-01 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples 109
G3101-07 μαθητῶν matheton N GEN M PL disciples of learners of disciples 45
G3101-02 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples 41
G3101-03 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples 39
G3101-06 μαθητὴς mathetes N NOM M SG disciple learner-follower disciple 20
G3101-04 μαθητῇ mathete N DAT M SG disciple Learn! disciple 3
G3101-05 μαθητὴν matheten N ACC M SG disciple a learner disciple 3
G3101-08 μαθητοῦ mathetou N GEN M SG of a disciple of a learner of a learner 1

Occurrences in Scripture

261 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3101-01 Matthew 5:1 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-07 Matthew 8:21 μαθητῶν matheton N GEN M PL disciples of learners of disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 8:23 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 9:10 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 9:11 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 9:14 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 9:14 μαθηταί mathetai-2 N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 9:19 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 9:37 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 10:1 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-06 Matthew 10:24 μαθητὴς mathetes N NOM M SG disciple learner-follower disciple
G3101-04 Matthew 10:25 μαθητῇ mathete N DAT M SG disciple Learn! disciple
G3101-08 Matthew 10:42 μαθητοῦ mathetou N GEN M SG of a disciple of a learner of a learner
G3101-02 Matthew 11:1 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-07 Matthew 11:2 μαθητῶν matheton N GEN M PL disciples of learners of disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 12:1 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 12:2 μαθηταί mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 12:49 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 13:10 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 13:36 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 14:12 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 14:15 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 14:19 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 14:19 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 14:22 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 14:26 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 15:2 μαθηταί mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 15:12 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 15:23 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 15:32 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 15:33 μαθηταί mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 15:36 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 15:36 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 16:5 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 16:13 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 16:20 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 16:21 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 16:24 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 17:6 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 17:10 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 17:13 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 17:16 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 17:19 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 18:1 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 19:10 μαθηταί mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 19:13 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-02 Matthew 19:23 μαθηταῖς mathetais N DAT M PL disciples to learners to disciples
G3101-01 Matthew 19:25 μαθηταὶ mathetai N NOM M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 20:17 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
G3101-03 Matthew 21:1 μαθητὰς mathetas N ACC M PL disciples learners disciples
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