Greek word · G1733

ἕνδεκα

hendeka

eleven

The ordinary number 'eleven'. In early Christian narrative, 'the Eleven' becomes a temporary title for the apostolic circle in the interval between Judas' death and the choosing of Matthias.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἕν-δεκα, οἱ, αἱ, τά

indecl.,

eleven: of the eleven apostles, οἱ, ἕ., Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:9, 33, Acts 1:26 2:14.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 28:16

Range of meaning

The ordinary number 'eleven'. In early Christian narrative, 'the Eleven' becomes a temporary title for the apostolic circle in the interval between Judas' death and the choosing of Matthias.

Against the English

English 'the eleven disciples' is accurate. What a modern reader may miss is that the number is a wound: the Gospels never call this group 'the Eleven' before the betrayal.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used as a group title in Luke 24:9, 33; Acts 1:26; 2:14; and in the longer ending of Mark (16:14). Matthew uses it only here. Matthew 19:28 has Jesus promising the Twelve twelve thrones 'judging the twelve tribes of Israel', so twelve is a number for restored Israel. Acts 1:15–26 shows how much the early community felt the need to bring the number back to twelve.

From the study of Acts 2:14

Range of meaning

The number eleven. In the Gospels and Acts, 'the Eleven' is a title for the apostles after Judas's loss.

Against the English

BSB capitalizes 'the Eleven' as a title. Other versions use lowercase. The sense is the same.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 24:9, 33; Acts 1:26 ('he was numbered with the eleven apostles'). Codex Bezae's reading 'ten apostles' seems to be an attempt to make the arithmetic exclude Peter differently.

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 28:16 ἕνδεκα the eleven

    Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.

    Here: The number itself tells a story: the Twelve are now eleven because Judas betrayed Jesus and died (27:3–5). The group is broken but still gathered.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 24:9 ἕνδεκα eleven

    And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

  2. Luke 24:33 ἕνδεκα eleven

    And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 1:26 ἕνδεκα eleven

    Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.

  2. Acts 2:14 ἕνδεκα eleven

    Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words.

    Here: The other apostles, now including Matthias, who had just been chosen (1:26). Peter plus eleven makes the restored Twelve.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.