Martyr

From Bible Encyclopedia

mar´tẽr (μαρτύς, martús, Aeolic μαρτύρ, martúr):

One who gives heed, and so, a “witness,” so translated in numerous passages, both as of one bearing testimony, and also as of one who is a spectator of anything (see Witness). In the King James Version rendered “martyr” in Acts 22:20, “thy martyr Stephen”; and Revelation 2:13, “Antipas my faithful martyr”; also Revelation 17:6, “the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” where alone the American Standard Revised Version retains “martyrs.” These 3 passages are the beginning of the use of the word “martyr” for such witnesses as were faithful even unto death, its uniform modern use.

One who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated “witness.”

(1) In a court of justice (Matthew 18:16; Matthew 26:65; Acts 6:13; Acts 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19).

(2) As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, Acts 1:22; Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 1:2).