Greek word · G4749

στολή

stolē

robe

A long, flowing outer robe, the dress of people of standing and of festive or ceremonial occasions. It is more than everyday clothing.

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

στολή, -ῆς, ἡ

(στέλλω), [in LXX chiefly for בֶּגֶד, also for לְבוּשׁ, etc. ;]

1 1, an equipment, an armament (Æsch.).

2. Equipment in clothes, apparel, esp. flowing raiment, a festal robe: (cf. Jonah 3:6, Esther 8:15, 1Ma.6:15): Mark 12:38 16:5, Luke 15:22 20:46, Revelation 6:11 7:9, 13-14 22:14.†

(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 Revelation 7:14

Range of meaning

A long, flowing outer robe, the dress of people of standing and of festive or ceremonial occasions. It is more than everyday clothing.

Against the English

'Robes' is accurate. English readers may not hear the note of rank, honour and priesthood that the Greek word carries.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament uses στολή for Aaron's 'holy garments' (Exod 28:2, 4). Genesis 49:11 says Judah 'will wash his robe (στολή) in wine, and his garment in the blood of grapes'. The father gives the returning son 'the best robe' (Luke 15:22). The young man at the tomb wears a white στολή (Mark 16:5). In Revelation, white robes are given to the martyrs under the altar (6:11) and blessing is pronounced on 'those who wash their robes' (22:14).

From the study of Revelation 7:13

Range of meaning

A long, flowing outer robe that signals rank, honour or a special occasion: priestly vestments, royal or festival dress, the 'best robe' of Luke 15:22, the scribes' long robes of Mark 12:38. BDAG: 'a long, flowing robe'.

Against the English

'Robe' is accurate. Modern readers may picture choir robes or bathrobes. In the ancient world a στολή was formal dress that marked status.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint the στολή ἁγία is the 'holy garment' of the priests (Exod 28:2; 29:21; Lev 16:4). The young man at the tomb wears a white στολή (Mark 16:5). Josephus uses the word for priestly vestments. In Revelation: 6:11 (martyrs given white robes), 7:9, 13, 14 and 22:14 ('blessed are those who wash their robes').

From the study of Revelation 6:11

Range of meaning

A long, full-length outer robe, as opposed to everyday clothing. It was worn by people of rank, on festive occasions and by priests. BDAG gives "a long, flowing robe." In the Gospels the scribes "like to walk around in long robes" (Mark 12:38). The angel at the tomb wears a white stolē (Mark 16:5), and the father puts "the best robe" on the returning son (Luke 15:22), a sign that his honor is restored.

Against the English

"Robe" is accurate. English readers may picture a bathrobe or a choir gown, though. The Greek word means formal dress that shows status. It is closer to court or festival wear than to a covering.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) stolē translates the priestly "holy garments" of Aaron (Exod 28:2, στολὴν ἁγίαν). It is also used for royal and festal dress (Gen 41:42, Joseph's investiture). In Jewish apocalyptic writing the righteous dead receive heavenly garments: 1 Enoch 62:15–16 ("garments of glory"), and Ascension of Isaiah 9:9–11, 24–26, where the righteous are given their robes but must wait for their thrones and crowns. In Revelation: 6:11; 7:9, 13–14 (robes washed white in the Lamb's blood); 22:14.

Where it appears

Mark · 2

  1. Mark 12:38 στολαῖς robes

    In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces,

    Here: Long, flowing outer robes, the kind worn by people of rank and on special occasions. They showed dignity and status, much like an academic gown does today.

  2. Mark 16:5 στολὴν a robe

    When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

    Here: A long, flowing outer garment of dignity, the kind worn on formal or festive occasions (compare the scribes' 'long robes' in 12:38). It is the opposite of a burial shroud or a workman's tunic.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 15:22 στολὴν robe

    But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

    Here: A long outer garment worn for honour and special occasions, not everyday work clothes. Kings gave such robes to honour people (Joseph, Mordecai).

  2. Luke 20:46 στολαῖς long robes

    “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.

    Here: A long, distinguished outer robe, the kind worn for festivals, by priests or by people of rank. The Greek says only 'robes'. English adds 'long' to convey the style.

Revelation · 5

  1. Revelation 6:11 στολὴ a robe

    Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

    Here: A long, flowing outer robe, worn as a garment of dignity, festival or priestly service. It is not ordinary clothing.

  2. Revelation 7:9 στολὰς robes

    After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

    Here: A long, full-length robe worn for occasions of dignity, festivals and priestly service, not ordinary working clothes. Compare the white robe given to the martyrs in 6:11.

  3. Revelation 7:13 στολὰς robes

    Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”

    Here: A long, flowing outer garment worn for dignity, festivals or priestly service. It is clothing for honour and celebration, not everyday work clothes.

  4. Revelation 7:14 στολὰς robes

    “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

    Here: Long formal robes that show honour or rank. The Greek Old Testament uses the word for priestly vestments. These are the same robes as in v.13.

  5. Revelation 22:14 στολὰς robes

    Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.

    Here: The long outer robe worn on festive or honoured occasions, and by priests. In Revelation the white robes belong to the martyrs and the redeemed (6:11; 7:9, 13–14).

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