Greek word · G2903

κράτιστος

kratistos

excellent

Literally 'strongest' or 'best', the superlative of kratys, 'strong'. As a form of address it means 'most excellent' or 'your excellency', used for people of high rank.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κράτιστος, -η, -ον

superl, of κρατύς (Hom.),

1. strongest, mightiest (Hom.).

2. noblest, best (cf. κρείσσων), most excellent (find., Soph., al.): voc., κρατίστε, as title of honour and respect (DCG, ii, 727a), Luke 1:3, Acts 23:26 24:3 26:25.†

(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 Luke 1:3

Range of meaning

Literally 'strongest' or 'best', the superlative of kratys, 'strong'. As a form of address it means 'most excellent' or 'your excellency', used for people of high rank. In Roman-era Greek it often corresponds to the Latin egregius, a title of the equestrian (second-highest) class of officials, though it was also used more loosely as a polite address to someone of standing.

Against the English

'Most excellent' (KJV, BSB, WEB), 'most noble' (YLT). To modern ears this can sound like praise for being an excellent person.

How it drifted

English 'excellent' is now a word of evaluation ('an excellent person'). The Greek here works as a title, closer to 'Your Excellency'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Acts 23:26 ('to his Excellency Governor Felix'), 24:3, 26:25 (Festus). Josephus dedicates Against Apion to 'most excellent of men, Epaphroditus' (kratiste andrōn Epaphrodite, 1.1). Papyri and inscriptions use it for officials.

From the study of Acts 26:25

Range of meaning

'Strongest, most excellent': the superlative of κρατύς. In the Roman period it worked as an official form of address for men of high rank, especially equestrian officials such as governors and procurators. It is roughly equivalent to Latin egregius ('distinguished').

Against the English

BSB, WEB, ESV, NIV and NLT have 'most excellent', and KJV and YLT have 'most noble'. Both can sound like flattery or a statement about aristocratic birth to a modern reader. It was a set title, more like 'Your Excellency'.

How it drifted

Modern English has no exact equivalent for Roman rank titles, so the phrase reads as gushing praise rather than correct protocol.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke uses it for Theophilus (Luke 1:3) and for the governor Felix (Acts 23:26; 24:3). Papyri and inscriptions use κράτιστος as a standard honorific for Roman officials.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 1:3 κράτιστε most excellent

    Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

    Here: A formal title of address for people of high social or official standing. In Acts it is used of the Roman governors Felix and Festus (Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25). It describes rank, not moral character.

Acts · 3

  1. Acts 23:26 κρατίστῳ most excellent

    Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

  2. Acts 24:3 κράτιστε most excellent

    In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

  3. Acts 26:25 κράτιστε most excellent

    But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.

    Here: A formal title for a high Roman official of the equestrian order (the Roman class just below senators). Using it correctly while being called insane shows Paul's composure and respect, which is itself evidence that he is sane.

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