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G1057 · Greek · New Testament
Γαλιλαῖος
Galilaios
Adjective/Noun
Galilean (Person from Galilee)

Definition

The Greek adjective/noun Galilaios (G1057) means "Galilean" — a person from the region of Galilee. It was used both as a geographical identifier and, by Jerusalem's elite, as a term of contempt. Jesus and most of His disciples were Galileans, and the early church was mockingly identified as a Galilean movement.

Usage & Theological Significance

The label "Galilean" carried social and religious stigma in first-century Judaism — Galilee was considered provincial, mixed, and spiritually inferior to Judea. Yet God chose to incarnate His Son in Galilee, to call His disciples from among Galilean fishermen, and to launch the greatest movement in human history from this despised region. This is the consistent pattern of divine election: God chooses the foolish to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Key Bible Verses

Luke 22:59 Then after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, 'Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.'
Acts 2:7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?'
Acts 1:11 Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?
John 4:45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem.
Mark 14:70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, 'Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.'

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External Resources

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