kyrios

What it means

A word that can mean "sir," "master," or "Lord," and which the Greek Old Testament uses for God's name. Luke uses it of God throughout the birth story and then increasingly of Jesus, who is called "the Lord" in his narration (7:13). Peter's "Lord" in 5:8 begins with awe; in 6:46 Jesus asks why people say it without doing what he says.

Range of meaning

• SirA polite address.
• MasterAn owner or ruler.
• LordThe title for God and for Jesus.

In Luke

• Chapter 5

  Simon calls him "Lord" for the first time (5:8).

• Chapter 6

  "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord'" (6:46).

• Chapter 13

  "Lord, open to us" (13:25).

• Chapter 20

  "David calls him Lord" (20:42, 20:44).