### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἀγρός (G68) primarily denotes a "field," deriving from the verb ἄγω (agō, `{{G71}}`, "to lead" or "to drive"). This etymological link suggests a place where cattle are driven for pasture or where agricultural activity takes place. Its semantic range extends beyond a mere plot of cultivated land to encompass broader rural contexts. Depending on the context, ἀγρός can refer to:
1. A specific "field" used for planting, harvesting, or grazing.
2. The "countryside" or "country" in general, contrasting with urban areas.
3. A "farm" or "piece of ground" as property.
4. Less commonly, a "hamlet" or small rural settlement, implying a collection of dwellings within a rural setting.
The word captures the essence of agrarian life, representing the natural environment outside the city walls, often associated with labor, sustenance, and quietude.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀγρός appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels, where it often serves as a setting for Jesus' teachings or as an element in His parables.
In the Parable of the Sower, ἀγρός is the "field" where the sower casts seed, representing the world or the human heart into which the Word of God is sown (e.g., [[Matthew 13:24]], [[Mark 4:1]], [[Luke 8:5]]). Here, the field is a place of potential growth and reception.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure depicts a man finding treasure hidden in a "field" and selling all he has to buy that field (e.g., [[Matthew 13:44]]), illustrating the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Similarly, the Parable of the Weeds uses the "field" as a metaphor for the world where good seed (sons of the kingdom) and weeds (sons of the evil one) grow together until the harvest (e.g., [[Matthew 13:38]]).
Beyond parables, ἀγρός describes practical aspects of daily life:
* People working in the "field" (e.g., [[Matthew 24:40]], [[Luke 17:36]]).
* The act of buying or selling a "field" (e.g., [[Acts 4:37]], [[Acts 5:8]]), highlighting property ownership and economic transactions.
* Jesus' disciples picking grain in the "fields" on the Sabbath (e.g., [[Mark 2:23]]).
* In eschatological warnings, Jesus advises those in Judea to flee to the mountains, and those in the "field" not to return to their homes (e.g., [[Matthew 24:18]], [[Mark 13:16]], [[Luke 17:31]]), emphasizing urgency and detachment from earthly possessions during tribulation.
The use of ἀγρός consistently grounds the narrative in the agrarian reality of first-century Palestine, whether as a literal place of labor or a profound spiritual metaphor.
### Related Words & Concepts
Ἀγρός interacts with several related Greek terms that delineate aspects of land, place, and habitation:
* **Γῆ (gē, `{{G1093}}`):** Broadly means "earth," "land," or "ground." While ἀγρός is a specific type of land (a field), γῆ is a more general term for the planet or a large territory.
* **Χώρα (chōra, `{{G5561}}`):** Refers to a "region," "country," or "district." It can overlap with ἀγρός when denoting a rural area, but χώρα often implies a larger geographical or administrative division, whereas ἀγρός is typically a more localized plot or area.
* **Χωρίον (chōrion, `{{G5564}}`):** A diminutive of χώρα, meaning a "place," "piece of ground," or "small field." This term is often used for specific plots of land, such as the "field of blood" (Akeldama, [[Acts 1:18]], [[Acts 1:19]]). While similar in scope to ἀγρός, χωρίον can be more general about any specific place, not necessarily an agricultural one.
* **Οἰκία (oikia, `{{G3614}}`):** "House" or "household." This term often stands in contrast to ἀγρός, representing the urban or settled domestic sphere versus the rural, open environment. The command not to return to one's house from the field ([[Matthew 24:18]]) highlights this distinction.
The concept of ἀγρός is central to understanding the agricultural economy and the rural-urban dynamic prevalent in the biblical world, where land was the primary source of wealth and sustenance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀγρός is multifaceted, deeply intertwined with both practical life and spiritual truth.
Most prominently, in Jesus' parables, the "field" transcends its literal meaning to become a powerful metaphor for the Kingdom of God and the human heart. The field as the "world" ([[Matthew 13:38]]) underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, where the gospel message is sown among all humanity. The varying conditions of the soil in the Sower parable illustrate the diverse spiritual receptivity among people, emphasizing the importance of a prepared heart for the Word to bear fruit. This highlights divine sovereignty in sowing and human responsibility in receiving.
Furthermore, the value placed on the field (as in the hidden treasure parable) signifies the surpassing worth of the Kingdom of Heaven, for which one should be willing to sacrifice everything. This calls for radical commitment and reordering of priorities.
In the context of eschatological warnings, the command to flee from the "field" without returning for possessions ([[Matthew 24:18]]) serves as a vivid illustration of the urgency of repentance and detachment from worldly comforts in the face of divine judgment or tribulation. It underscores the spiritual priority over material security.
Finally, ἀγρός implicitly points to God's provision and the order of creation. The field is where sustenance is produced, a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His creation through the cycles of nature and human labor. It grounds theological concepts in the tangible reality of the earth, which God has made and sustains.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀγρός (G68) primarily denotes a "field," extending in meaning to encompass "countryside," "farm," or a "piece of ground." Derived from the concept of "driving" or "leading," it fundamentally refers to an open, rural area, often used for agriculture or pasturage. In the New Testament, ἀγρός is a pervasive term, appearing frequently in the Synoptic Gospels. Its occurrences range from literal descriptions of rural life and economic activity, such as buying and selling land or working in the fields, to profound metaphorical uses in Jesus' parables. Most notably, the "field" symbolizes the world or the human heart in parables like the Sower and the Weeds, illustrating the sowing of God's Word and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologically, ἀγρός underscores God's universal redemptive plan, the immense value of His Kingdom, and the urgency of spiritual priorities in light of eternity. It serves as a constant reminder of the agrarian context of the biblical narrative and the spiritual truths embedded within the tangible realities of creation.
TRV