### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun αἴτιον (aítion), Strong's `{{G158}}`, is the neuter form of the adjective αἴτιος (aítios, `{{G159}}`), meaning "responsible for" or "culpable." As a noun, αἴτιον denotes "a reason," "a cause," or "a ground for accusation." Its semantic range closely aligns with αἰτία (aitía, `{{G157}}`), which also means "cause," "charge," or "fault." In legal contexts, αἴτιον frequently refers to the specific "fault" or "crime" for which one is accused or held responsible. It can signify the underlying reason for an event or the legal basis for a charge. The word carries a strong connotation of culpability or the lack thereof, particularly in judicial settings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
αἴτιον appears exclusively in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, often in legal or quasi-legal contexts concerning accusations and innocence.
* **[[Luke 23:4]]**: Pontius Pilate, after examining Jesus, declares to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no fault in this man." Here, οὐδὲν αἴτιον (ouden aítion) emphatically asserts Jesus' innocence regarding any crime worthy of death. This declaration is crucial for understanding the unjust nature of Jesus' condemnation.
* **[[Luke 23:14]]**: Pilate reiterates his finding, "I have found no fault in this man regarding the things of which you accuse him." This second declaration reinforces the lack of any αἴτιον on Jesus' part, highlighting the baselessness of the charges brought by the Jewish leadership.
* **[[Acts 19:40]]**: Demetrius, the silversmith, and his fellow craftsmen have incited a riot in Ephesus. The town clerk warns them that they are in danger of being charged concerning the "riot today, there being no cause for it." Here, αἴτιον refers to the legitimate "cause" or "reason" for the disturbance, which was absent, making their actions unlawful.
* **[[Acts 22:30]]**: The Roman commander Claudius Lysias, wishing to know the exact "charge" or "reason" why Paul was being accused by the Jews, ordered the Sanhedrin to convene. τὸ αἴτιον (to aítion) here signifies the specific accusation or ground for the controversy.
* **[[Acts 23:28]]**: Lysias further explains in his letter to Felix that he sought to ascertain the "reason" (τὸ αἴτιον) for the accusation against Paul, finding no charge deserving of death or imprisonment. This again emphasizes the legal αἴτιον or basis for a charge.
In all these instances, αἴτιον functions as a term denoting the ground for a charge, a crime, or the reason behind an event, often in the context of determining guilt or innocence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The closest lexical relative to αἴτιον is αἰτία (`{{G157}}`), a feminine noun meaning "cause," "reason," or "charge." While αἴτιον is the neuter form of the adjective αἴτιος (`{{G159}}`) used substantively, αἰτία functions as a direct noun. In practice, their meanings often overlap significantly, especially in legal contexts where both can denote a "charge" or "fault." For example, Pilate's declaration in [[John 18:38]] uses αἰτία ("I find no fault in Him").
Other related concepts include:
* ἔγκλημα (`{{G1458}}`): "accusation," "charge," particularly a criminal charge.
* κατηγορία (`{{G2724}}`): "accusation," "charge."
* ἀπολογία (`{{G627}}`): "defense," "apology," the act of defending oneself against an αἴτιον.
* ἀθῷος (`{{G121}}`): "innocent," "guiltless," the state of being without αἴτιον.
These words collectively paint a picture of the legal and judicial framework within which the early Christian narrative unfolds, highlighting the frequent accusations faced by Jesus and His followers.
### Theological Significance
The most profound theological significance of αἴτιον lies in its repeated application to Jesus in Luke's Gospel. Pilate's emphatic declarations of "no fault" (οὐδὲν αἴτιον) in Jesus ([[Luke 23:4]], [[Luke 23:14]]) are not merely historical details; they serve a crucial theological purpose. They underscore the absolute innocence of Christ, confirming that His death was not a consequence of any personal sin or transgression. This judicial vindication of Jesus' blamelessness is foundational to Christian theology, as it establishes Him as the spotless Lamb of God (ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ), the perfect sacrifice who bore no αἴτιον of His own, yet took upon Himself the αἴτιον of humanity's sin. His suffering and death are thus revealed as a redemptive act, not a punitive one for personal guilt.
Furthermore, the use of αἴτιον in Acts to describe the baseless accusations against Paul and other apostles (e.g., [[Acts 22:30]], [[Acts 23:28]]) highlights a recurring theme: the righteousness of God's servants in the face of unjust human judgment. This reflects the pattern set by Christ Himself and serves to affirm the divine approval of their mission despite earthly opposition.
### Summary
αἴτιον (`{{G158}}`) is a Greek noun meaning "cause," "reason," or "fault," predominantly used in legal contexts to denote the ground for an accusation or the absence thereof. Its most significant biblical usage is in the Gospel of Luke, where Pontius Pilate repeatedly declares finding "no fault" (οὐδὲν αἴτιον) in Jesus. This declaration is critically important for affirming Christ's sinless nature and the unjust character of His crucifixion, thereby underscoring the redemptive efficacy of His sacrifice. In the Book of Acts, αἴτιον similarly describes the baseless nature of charges brought against the apostles, reinforcing their integrity and the divine legitimacy of their ministry. The word thus contributes significantly to understanding themes of divine justice, human culpability, and the vindication of the innocent in the biblical narrative.
TRV