Greek word · G4735

στέφανος

stephanos

crown

A circular wreath or garland: leaves of olive, laurel, pine or celery, or a gold copy of them. It was given to winners in athletic and musical contests, to citizens and benefactors honored by a city, and worn at festivals and banquets and by some priests and magistrates.

Appears 18 times in 18 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

στέφανος, -ου, ὁ

(στέφω, to encircle), [in LXX chiefly for עֲטָרָה ;]

1. that which surrounds or encompasses (as a wall, a crowd: Hom., al.).

2. a crown, i.e. the wreath, garland or chaplet given as a prize for victory, as a festal ornament, or as a public honour for disting­uished service or personal worth (so to sovereigns, especially on the occasion of a παρουσία, which see; cf. Deiss., LAE, 372 ff.; on its use in LXX for the golden crown of royalty (prop., διάδημα, which see, cf. Hort and Mayor on James 1:12): Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, John 19:2, 5, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Revelation 4:4, 10 6:2 9:7 12:1 14:14. Metaphorical: Philippians 4:1, Revelation 3:11; τ. δικαιοσύνης (cf. Deiss., LAE, 312), 2 Timothy 4:8; τ. δόξης, 1 Peter 5:4; καυχήσεως, 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (see M, Th., in l); τ. ζωῆς (genitive appos.), James 1:12, Revelation 2:10.†

(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 Revelation 2:10

Range of meaning

A circular wreath or garland: leaves of olive, laurel, pine or celery, or a gold copy of them. It was given to winners in athletic and musical contests, to citizens and benefactors honored by a city, and worn at festivals and banquets and by some priests and magistrates. It can mark royal or festive honor too, but the emblem of kingship proper was the διάδημα (diadēma), a cloth band.

Against the English

"Crown" makes a modern reader picture a jeweled gold crown of a monarch. All major English versions keep "crown". The NIV (2011) alone brings out the athletic sense with "victor's crown".

How it drifted

English "crown" narrowed over time to mean royal headgear. Medieval and later art pictured saints' rewards as royal crowns, so the athletic and civic wreath dropped out of view.

Used elsewhere in the period

The wreath for victors is standard in Greek usage and appears in the New Testament itself: 1 Corinthians 9:25 ("a perishable wreath" versus an imperishable one), 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12 ("the crown of life" for the one who endures testing). Revelation keeps the two words apart. Elders and victors wear στέφανοι (4:4, 6:2). The dragon, the beast and the Rider of chapter 19 wear διαδήματα (12:3, 13:1, 19:12). Smyrna held well-known games, and its magistrates included a "wreath-bearer" (stephanēphoros) attested in inscriptions. The often-repeated claim that the buildings on Mount Pagos were called "the crown of Smyrna" comes from late sources and from Ramsay. It is plausible but less certain.

From the study of Revelation 12:1

Range of meaning

A wreath or garland (of leaves, flowers or gold) worn as a prize at the games, as a civic honour, at feasts, or as a sign of victory. It could also be royal (Rev 14:14, where the Son of Man wears a golden stephanos). It is a different word from diadēma, the band worn by Persian and Hellenistic kings as a sign of sovereign rule.

Against the English

All the major versions have 'crown'. Modern readers tend to picture a king's or queen's jewelled crown. The Greek word first suggests a wreath of honour or victory. English also cannot show the contrast in 12:1–3 between her stephanos and the dragon's diadēmata.

How it drifted

English uses one word, 'crown', for two Greek words that Revelation keeps apart on purpose.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rev 2:10 ('the crown of life' for the faithful); 3:11; 4:4, 10 (the elders' crowns, cast before the throne); 6:2; 9:7; 14:14. Diadēma is reserved for the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1) and the rider called Faithful and True (19:12). In 1 Cor 9:25 Paul uses stephanos for the athlete's perishable wreath.

From the study of James 1:12

Range of meaning

A wreath or garland of leaves or flowers, or a gold copy of one. It was given to winners in athletic contests (olive at Olympia, pine or celery at the Isthmian games), awarded as a civic honour, and worn at feasts and weddings. Kings wore a diadēma (headband), a different word.

Against the English

Every major version says 'crown', which today calls up a jewelled royal crown. The Greek picture is a victor's wreath: honour won at the end of a contest.

How it drifted

English 'crown' became mainly a royal word. Paintings of saints with golden crowns reinforced the royal reading.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul contrasts the athlete's perishable wreath with an imperishable one (1 Cor 9:25). Rev 2:10 reads 'be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown (stephanon) of life'. Compare 1 Pet 5:4 ('the unfading crown of glory') and 2 Tim 4:8. In Jewish writings: Wis 5:16, the righteous receive a royal diadem from the Lord's hand; 4 Macc 17:15, the martyrs 'crowned' by God in a contest; Testament of Benjamin 4:1, 'crowns of glory'.

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 27:29 στέφανον a crown

    And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

    Here: A wreath or garland worn on the head. Rulers wore them too, and the Roman emperor's laurel wreath was the best-known. Here it is a fake royal crown, made to parody the honors of a king.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 15:17 στέφανον a crown

    They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head.

John · 2

  1. John 19:2 στέφανον a crown

    The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe.

    Here: A ring worn round the head: a victor's or festival wreath, an honour, or a ruler's crown. Here verse 3 ("Hail, King of the Jews!") shows it is meant as a parody of a king's crown.

  2. John 19:5 στέφανον crown

    When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

    Here: A ring or wreath worn on the head. It could be a victor's garland, a festal crown, or a ruler's crown. Here it is a parody of a king's or emperor's crown.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:25 στέφανον crown

    Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

    Here: The victor's wreath of leaves placed on the winner's head, not a king's metal crown. The cheap material was the point: the wreath stood for honour, and the honour was what athletes trained for.

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 4:1 στέφανός crown

    Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

    Here: A wreath of victory or honour: the garland given to a winning athlete, voted to a public benefactor, or worn at a celebration. It was not a king's crown. The Philippians themselves are the honour Paul will wear when Christ comes.

1 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 στέφανος crown

    After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

    Here: A wreath of leaves, or a gold one made to look like leaves, given to winners at the games or to people being honoured by a city. It was not a king's crown. The Thessalonians themselves are this wreath.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 4:8 στέφανος crown

    From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

    Here: After 'fight' and 'race' in v.7, this is the leafy wreath given to the winner at the games. It is not a king's jeweled crown.

James · 1

  1. James 1:12 στέφανον crown

    Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

    Here: A wreath of leaves or flowers (later sometimes made of gold) given to winners at the games, to honoured citizens, and worn at festivals. It is not the king's diadem. It is the prize of the one who finishes the contest.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 5:4 στέφανον.¶ crown.

    And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

    Here: A wreath of leaves or flowers, sometimes copied in gold. It was given to winning athletes and to citizens honoured for public service. It stands for a public, honourable reward, not a king's jewelled crown of rule.

Revelation · 8

  1. Revelation 2:10 στέφανον crown

    Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

    Here: A wreath of leaves or a gold imitation of one, given for victory in the games or for civic honor. It is different from the royal band (diadēma).

  2. Revelation 3:11 στέφανόν crown

    I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

    Here: A wreath given to a winner, an honored citizen or a guest at a festival. It stands for victory and public honor, not first of all for kingship. Here it is the prize for the one who "overcomes" (3:12).

  3. Revelation 4:4 στεφάνους crowns

    Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.

    Here: A ring-shaped crown or wreath, given for victory, honor or office. Gold ones were presented to benefactors, officials and rulers. It is the reward promised to the faithful in 2:10 and 3:11, and in 4:10 the elders lay these crowns down before God's throne.

  4. Revelation 4:10 στεφάνους crowns

    the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

    Here: 'Wreaths/crowns'. In 4:4 these are golden wreaths, the kind of honor given to victors, benefactors and vassal rulers. They stand for the elders' own rank and honor.

  5. Revelation 6:2 στέφανος, a crown,

    So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

    Here: A garland or wreath, often of leaves or worked gold, given to a winner in games, in war or in civic honour. Here it marks the rider as a victor, given his victory before he rides out.

  6. Revelation 9:7 στέφανοι crowns

    And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men.

    Here: A wreath or garland. A victor or someone being honoured wore one, as could a king. It suggests conquest and claimed authority, not a jewelled royal crown.

  7. Revelation 12:1 στέφανος a crown

    And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

    Here: A wreath or garland, the kind given for victory, honour or a festival. Two verses later the dragon wears 'diadems' (12:3), the headbands of ruling kings. The woman wears the crown of the honoured and victorious.

  8. Revelation 14:14 στέφανον a crown

    And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.

    Here: A wreath or circlet: the crown of victory and honor, as opposed to the 'diadem' (diadēma), the royal headband worn by the dragon and the beast. It shows a victor already crowned, sent out to finish the work.

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