Witness
μάρτυς (martus)
One who testifies to what they have seen, heard, or experienced — even at the cost of their life.
Martus is the Greek word for witness, meaning one who testifies to truth from personal experience. From this word comes 'martyr,' reflecting the early church's reality that bearing witness to Christ often cost believers their lives.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." — Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Key Verses
Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”Read in context
Hebrews 12:1
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight.”Read in context
Revelation 2:13
“Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G3144 — Witness (μάρτυς (martus))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where μάρτυς (martus) appears.
Open Strong's G3144Etymology and Original Meaning
Martus means 'witness' — one who testifies in a legal or public setting to what they know firsthand. In classical Greek, it was a courtroom term. The shift from 'witness' to 'martyr' occurred in the early church, when so many witnesses for Christ were killed that the word took on the meaning of one who dies for their testimony. Bearing witness and bearing cost became inseparable.
Witnesses in the Old Testament
The Old Testament required two or three witnesses to establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15). The covenant itself was witnessed by heaven and earth (Deuteronomy 30:19). Prophets served as God's witnesses, testifying to His truth before kings and nations. Israel as a whole was called to be God's witness: 'Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD' (Isaiah 43:10).
The Apostles as Witnesses
Jesus commissioned His apostles as witnesses of His resurrection (Acts 1:8, 22). Their authority rested on firsthand experience — they had seen, heard, and touched the risen Christ (1 John 1:1-3). Peter declared, 'We are his witnesses of these things' (Acts 5:32). The gospel spread because real people testified to real events, often at great personal cost.
Every Believer as Witness
All Christians are called to witness — to testify to what God has done in their lives and in history through Christ. This witness involves both words (sharing the gospel) and life (living as evidence of transformation). The 'great cloud of witnesses' in Hebrews 12:1 surrounds present believers, encouraging faithfulness. Witness is not optional — it is the natural overflow of genuine faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does witness mean in the Bible?
A witness (martus) is one who testifies to truth from personal knowledge and experience. Christians are called to witness to Christ's life, death, and resurrection through their words and lives.
How did witness become martyr?
In the early church, so many Christians were killed for testifying about Christ that martus ('witness') evolved into 'martyr' — one who dies for their faith. The words share the same root because the early believers' witness often cost them their lives.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Witness"?
Acts 1:8 — "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (KJV). It also appears in Hebrews 12:1, Revelation 2:13.
Why does the Greek word behind "Witness" matter?
Martus means 'witness' — one who testifies in a legal or public setting to what they know firsthand. English uses one word, "Witness", where the Greek μάρτυς (martus) carries the fuller sense: one who testifies to what they have seen, heard, or experienced — even at the cost of their life.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Witness (μάρτυς (martus))
One who testifies to what they have seen, heard, or experienced — even at the cost of their life.
Strong's G3144 — Witness
μάρτυς (martus) • One who testifies to what they have seen, heard, or experienced — even at the cost of their life.
Testimony (μαρτυρία (Martyria))
A witness or declaration of truth, especially about God's work in one's life
Matthew 5:14 Commentary
In-depth study • Christian Witness
Matthew 5:14-16 Commentary
In-depth study • Christian Witness
Who Was Stephen, the First Christian Martyr?
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