### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κόκκινος (kókkinos, `{{G2847}}`) denotes the color scarlet or crimson. Its etymology is rooted in κόκκος (kókkos), meaning "grain" or "kernel," specifically referring to the *Kermes vermilio* insect (or a similar species like *Porphyrophora hamelii*). This small, kernel-shaped insect, which infests oak trees, was the ancient world's primary source for a highly prized, deep red dye. The "kernel-shape" of the insect gave the dye its name. Thus, κόκκινος describes a rich, intense red, often associated with luxury, royalty, and religious ceremony. While distinct from purple (πορφύρα, `{{G4209}}`) in its source and precise hue, both colors were costly and frequently used together in ancient textiles to signify wealth and status. The semantic range of κόκκινος is primarily limited to this specific shade of red, but its symbolic connotations are rich and varied within the biblical text.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κόκκινος appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Revelation, each instance carrying significant symbolic weight:
* **[[Matthew 27:28]]**: "They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him." In this poignant scene, Roman soldiers mock Jesus by clothing Him in a κόκκινος robe, mimicking royal attire. This act underscores the profound irony of His passion: the true King of Glory is subjected to ridicule, His divine kingship parodied by a symbol of earthly power. The scarlet here is a sign of contempt and humiliation, yet it inadvertently points to His true, albeit unrecognized, royal authority.
* **[[Revelation 17:3]]**: "And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names..." Here, κόκκινος describes the color of the Beast, a symbol of oppressive, anti-God political and spiritual power. The color signifies its opulent, bloodthirsty, and idolatrous nature.
* **[[Revelation 17:4]]**: "The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls." This verse describes "Babylon the Great," the harlot, adorned in κόκκινος alongside purple (`{{G4209}}`). These colors emphasize her immense wealth, luxury, and seductive allure, which mask her spiritual prostitution and the idolatry that leads nations astray. The scarlet here represents her excessive worldly pomp, her moral corruption, and perhaps her guilt for the blood of saints.
* **[[Revelation 18:12]]**: "cargo of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth..."
* **[[Revelation 18:16]]**: "‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet..."
In these verses, κόκκινος is listed among the luxurious commodities that comprise the wealth of Babylon, whose destruction is lamented by the merchants. As an expensive textile, scarlet is emblematic of the material prosperity and extravagant lifestyle that characterize the corrupt world system, destined for divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of scarlet as a significant color extends deeply into the Old Testament, where it is frequently rendered by the Hebrew terms שָׁנִי (shani, `{{H8144}}`) or תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי (tola'at shani, `{{H8438}}` meaning "worm of scarlet," directly referencing the insect source of the dye).
* **Tabernacle and Priestly Garments**: Scarlet was a prominent color in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the high priest ([[Exodus 25:4]], [[Exodus 26:1]], [[Exodus 28:6]]). Here, it signified glory, holiness, and the preciousness of God's dwelling place, often paired with blue and purple.
* **Ritual Cleansing**: Scarlet thread was used in purification rituals for leprosy and defilement ([[Leviticus 14:4]], [[Leviticus 14:49]]), and in the sacrifice of the red heifer ([[Numbers 19:6]]). In these contexts, scarlet symbolizes the presence of impurity and the need for atonement, often associated with blood.
* **Symbol of Sin and Forgiveness**: Perhaps most profoundly, [[Isaiah 1:18]] declares, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This verse powerfully uses scarlet as a metaphor for deep-seated, undeniable sin, contrasting it with the purity of divine forgiveness.
* **New Testament Parallel**: The color purple (πορφύρα, `{{G4209}}`) is often mentioned alongside scarlet in Revelation, both representing worldly luxury, power, and the opulence of the corrupt system.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κόκκινος is multifaceted, encompassing both positive and negative symbolic connotations.
* **Sin and Atonement**: The most profound theological connection for scarlet, especially when considering its Old Testament background, is its association with sin and the miraculous cleansing offered by God. [[Isaiah 1:18]] establishes scarlet as the color of grievous sin, yet promises complete purification. While κόκκινος itself does not directly appear in New Testament passages relating to atonement, its Old Testament counterpart sets a crucial theological precedent. The shedding of Christ's blood, though not explicitly described as "scarlet," achieves the cleansing from sin that the scarlet rituals of the Old Covenant foreshadowed.
* **Mockery of Christ**: In [[Matthew 27:28]], the scarlet robe is a stark symbol of human depravity and the profound humility of the Incarnate God. It highlights the world's rejection and mockery of its true King, yet paradoxically, through this very act of humiliation, Christ fulfills His mission of salvation.
* **Worldly Power and Corruption**: In the Book of Revelation, κόκκινος becomes a powerful symbol of the anti-God world system, represented by the Beast and Babylon the Great. It signifies their immense wealth, seductive allure, and the spiritual harlotry that leads humanity away from God. The color here denotes not only luxury but also the shedding of blood (persecution of saints) and the deep moral corruption inherent in rebellion against divine authority. The association with Babylon's fall underscores the certainty of divine judgment against such worldly pomp and idolatry.
* **Divine Judgment**: The presence of scarlet among Babylon's treasures in [[Revelation 18:12]], [[Revelation 18:16]] serves as a stark reminder that all earthly glory built on corruption and rebellion against God will ultimately be brought to nothing under His righteous judgment.
### Summary
The Greek word κόκκινος (`{{G2847}}`), denoting the color scarlet or crimson, derives its name from the kernel-shaped insect used to produce this valuable dye. In the New Testament, its occurrences are limited but highly symbolic. In [[Matthew 27:28]], it represents the mockery and humiliation inflicted upon Christ, ironically highlighting His true, albeit unrecognized, kingship. In the Book of Revelation ([[Revelation 17:3]], [[Revelation 17:4]], [[Revelation 18:12]], [[Revelation 18:16]]), scarlet consistently symbolizes the opulence, spiritual harlotry, and corrupt power of the Beast and "Babylon the Great," destined for divine judgment. While its New Testament usage leans towards negative connotations, it implicitly connects to the Old Testament symbolism of scarlet (`{{H8144}}`, `{{H8438}}`) representing both the depths of sin and the miraculous cleansing and atonement offered by God ([[Isaiah 1:18]]). Thus, κόκκινος functions as a potent visual and theological motif, signifying both the profound nature of human sin and rebellion, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.
TRV