Mark 16:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
What does every creature mean ? What is creature ?
I went to blueletterbible and found the word for creature it's
g2937 κτίσις ktisis
This word seem to be used in verses like Mark 10:6
But from the beginning of the creation
G2937 God made them male and female.
or Romans 8:20
For the creature
G2937 was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected
the same in hope,
which is later talking about animals in verse 21
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Does that mean that we should preach the gospel to animals aswell ?
Can other creatures like angels be saved ?
My Bible (Revised Standard Version) says, “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.”
The translations I checked said "the whole creation." Looking at the Greek, that seems to be correct. It would mean the whole world. There's no reason to think anyone other than people are involved.
For some reason our library's link to the OED is broken, but the history at dictionary.com suggests that the meaning of "creature" in the King James may in fact be "creation," rather than the modern meaning.
Of course this passage almost certainly wasn't in the original version of Mark.
Good posts.
I would say those are a better rendering.
It is used 1 time in Revelation:
Revelation 3:
14 ‘And to the Messenger of the Assembly in Laodicea write!
These things is saying the Amen, the Witness — the Faithful and the truthful One —
and the Chief of the
creation<2937> of the God;
However there are different forms of that word, the main root word being #2936.
I can look those up and see where they are used in Revelation
2936. ktizo ktid'-zo probably akin to 2932 (through the idea of proprietorship of the manufacturer); to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally):--create, Creator, make.
2937. ktisis ktis'-is from 2936; original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively):--building, creation, creature, ordinance.
2938. ktisma ktis'-mah from 2936; an original formation (concretely), i.e. product (created thing):--creature.
2939. ktistes ktis-tace' from 2936; a founder, i.e. God (as author of all things):--Creator.
#G2936:
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast
created G2936 all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created. G2936
Revelation 10:6
And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who
created G2936 heaven, and the things that therein are,.......................
#
G2938:
Revelation 5:13
And every
creature/creation G2938 which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
"Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
Revelation 8:9
And the third part of the
creatures/creation G2938 which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
#2939: [1 time used]
1Peter 4:19
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls
to him in well doing, as unto a faithful
Creator. G2939
In Revelation 'creatures" it is used mainly in relation to the "
4 living creatures", tho the greek word simply means "living one"
2226. zoon dzo'-on neuter of a derivative of 2198; a live thing, i.e. an animal:--beast.
#G2226
NKJV:
Revelation 4:6
Before the throne
there was[fn] a sea of glass, like crystal.
And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four
living creatures<2226>full of eyes in front and in back
NASB
Revelation 4:6
and before the throne
there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the [fn]center and around the throne, four
living creatures <2226>full of eyes in front and behind.
Revelation 4:7
and the first living creature [is] like a lion, and the second living creature [is] like a calf, and the third living creature hath the face as a man, and the fourth living creature [is] like an eagle flying.
Which goes back to Ezekiel:
#H2416
Ezekiel 1:
5
Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
10
As to the likeness of their faces, the face of a man, and the face of a lion, toward the right [are] to them four, and the face of an ox on the left [are] to them four, and the face of an eagle [are] to them four.
