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G2515 · Greek · New Testament
καθέδρα
Kathedra
Noun, feminine
Chair; Seat; Teacher's Chair

Definition

A seat or chair — used for the seat of Moses (the authoritative teaching chair) and for the money-changers' seats in the Temple.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Greek kathedra (origin of the English 'cathedral') means a chair or seat, especially one of authority. It appears three times in the NT: Matthew 21:12 and Mark 11:15, where Jesus 'overturned the tables of the money changers and the kathedras of those selling doves'; and Matthew 23:2, where Jesus says 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat (kathedra).' A 'cathedral' is literally the church with the bishop's chair — the teaching seat.

The kathedra of Moses in Matthew 23:2 is a physical seat in the synagogue from which the Torah was authoritatively read and interpreted. Jesus acknowledges its authority while condemning the hypocrisy of those who occupy it: 'do what they say, not what they do.' Then in Matthew 21, Jesus overturns the kathedras of the dove-sellers — the very seats of commercial religion within the Temple courts. The seat of teaching authority is holy when it serves God's people; it becomes a den of thieves when it exploits them. The cleansing of the Temple is Jesus asserting a higher teaching authority than any kathedra.

Key Bible Verses

Matthew 23:2 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat (kathedra).
Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches (kathedras) of those selling doves.
Mark 11:15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches (kathedras) of the dove sellers.
John 8:2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
Matthew 23:3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

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