μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα ((related to Latin magnus, magister, Goth. maist (cf. τό πλεῖστον), etc.; Vanicek, p. 682; Curtius, § 462)), accusative μέγαν, μεγάλην, μέγα; plural μεγάλοι, μεγάλαι, μεγάλα; comparative μείζων, μεῖζον (accusative masculine and feminine μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, John 5:36 (R G T WH, but L Tr μείζων (cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 119)); neuter plural μείζονα, once contracted μείζω, John 1:50(51)) and μειζότερος, 3 John 1:4 (from the comparitive μείζων), a poetic comparison, on which see the remark quoted under ἐλαχιστοτερος, cf. Matthiae, § 136; superlative μέγιστος (found only in 2 Peter 1:4); (from Homer down); the Sept. for גָּדול; also for רַב; great;
1. predicated
a. of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons); in particular, of space and its dimensions — as respects
α. mass and weight: λίθος, Matthew 27:60; Mark 16:4; Revelation 18:21; ὄρος, Revelation 8:8; ἀστήρ, Revelation 8:10; (δράκων, Revelation 12:3, 9; ἀετός, Revelation 12:14; δένδρον, Luke 13:19 (T WH omit; L Tr brackets μέγα); κλάδοι, Mark 4:32; ἰχθύες, John 21:11;
β. compass and extent; large, spacious: σκηνή (μείζων), Hebrews 9:11; ἀνάγαιον (R ἀνώγεον, which see), Mark 14:15; ἀποθήκη, Luke 12:18; κάμινος, Revelation 9:2; πόλις, Revelation 11:8; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:18; Revelation 18:2, 16, 18, 19; ποταμός, Revelation 9:14; Revelation 16:12; θύρα, 1 Corinthians 16:9; ληνός, Revelation 14:19; ὀθόνη, Acts 10:11; Acts 11:5; χάσμα, Luke 16:26 (2 Samuel 18:17).
γ. measure and height: οἰκοδομαί, Mark 13:2; θρόνος, Revelation 20:11; long, μάχαιρα, Revelation 6:4; as respects stature and age, μικροί καί μεγάλοι, small and great, young and old, Acts 8:10; Acts 26:22; Hebrews 8:11; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, 18; Revelation 20:12 (Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 23:2; 2 Chronicles 34:30). (neuter singular used adverbially: ἐν μεγάλῳ, Acts 26:29 L T Tr WH (for R G ἐν πολλῷ, which see in πολύς, d.) in great namely, degree. The apostle plays upon Agrippa's words ἐν ὀλίγῳ (which see) in a little (time) thou woulds fain etc... I would to God that both in little and in great i. e. in all respects etc.; cf. the use of ὀλίγον καί μέγα or μικρόν καί μέγα (yet in negative sentences) to express totality; e. g. Plato, Phileb. 21 e.; Apology 19 c.; 21 b.; 26 b.; but see d. below.)
b. of number and quantity, equivalent to numerous, large: ἀγέλη, Mark 5:11; abundant, πορισμός, 1 Timothy 6:6; μισθαποδοσία, Hebrews 10:35.
c. of age: ὁ μείζων, the elder, Romans 9:12 after Genesis 25:23 (Σκιπιων ὁ μέγας, Polybius 18, 18 (35), 9; 32, 12, 1).
d. used of intensity and its degrees: δύναμις, Acts 4:33; Acts 8:10; neuter ἐν μεγάλῳ, with great effort, Acts 26:29 L T Tr WH (but see γ. above); of the affections and emotions of the mind: χαρά, Matthew 2:10; Matthew 28:8; Luke 2:10; Luke 24:52; Acts 15:3; φόβος, Mark 4:41; Luke 2:9; Luke 8:37; Acts 5:5, 11; Revelation 11:11; θυμός, Revelation 12:12; λύπη, Romans 9:2; ἔκστασις, Mark 5:42 (Genesis 27:33); πιστός, Matthew 15:28; χάρις, Acts 4:33; ἀγάπη John 15:13. of natural events powerfully affecting the senses, equivalent to violent, mighty, strong: ἄνεμος, John 6:18; Revelation 6:13; βροντή, Revelation 14:2; χάλαζα, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:21; σεισμός, Matthew 8:24; Matthew 28:2; Luke 21:11; Acts 16:26; Revelation 6:12; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 16:18; λαῖλαψ, Mark 4:37; πτῶσις, Matthew 7:27. of other external things, such as are perceived by hearing: κραυγεη, Acts 23:9; Revelation 14:18 (R G); μεῖζον κράζειν, to cry out the louder, Matthew 20:31; φωνῆς, Matthew 24:31 (T omits φονης, WH only in marginal reading); Matthew 27:46,50; Luke 23:23; John 11:43; Acts 8:7; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 5:2, 12; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 7:2, 10; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 10:3; Revelation 11:12, 15; (Revelation 14:18 L T Tr WH; Revelation 18:2 Rec.), and elsewhere; γαλήνη, Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39. of objects of sight which excite admiration and wonder: φῶς, Matthew 4:16; σημεῖον, Matthew 24:24; Luke 21:11; Acts 6:8; Acts 8:13; Revelation 13:13; ἔργα, Revelation 15:3; μείζω, μείζονα τούτων, greater things than these, i. e. more extraordinary, more wonderful, John 1:50 (John 1:51); John 5:20; 14:12. of things that are felt: καῦμα, Revelation 16:9; πυρετός, Luke 4:38; of other things that distress: ἀνάγκη, Luke 21:23; (θλῖψις, Matthew 24:21; Acts 7:11; Revelation 2:22; Revelation 7:14; (διωγμός, Acts 8:1; λιμός, Luke 4:25; Acts 11:28; πληγή, Revelation 16:21.
2. predicated of rank, as belonging to
a. persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power; as God, and sacred personages: Θεός, Titus 2:13 ((on which see Prof. Abbot, Note C. in Journ. See Biblical Literature, etc. i., p. 19, and cf. ἐπιφάνεια)); Ἄρτεμις, Acts 19:27f, 34f; ἀρχιερεύς, Hebrews 4:14; ποιμήν, Hebrews 13:20; προφήτης, Luke 7:16; absolutely, οἱ μεγάλοι, great men, leaders, rulers, Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; universally, eminent, distinguished: Matthew 5:19; Matthew 20:26; Luke 1:15, 32; Acts 8:9. μείζων is used of those who surpass others — either in nature and power, as God: John 10:29 (here T Tr WH text give the neuter (see below)); John 10:28; Hebrews 6:13; 1 John 4:4; add, John 4:12; John 8:53; or in excellence, worth, authority, etc.: Matthew 11:11; Matthew 18:1; Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:34; Luke 7:28; Luke 9:46; Luke 22:26; John 13:16; John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 14:5; δυνάμει μείζονες, 2 Peter 2:11; neuter μεῖζον, something higher, more exalted, more majestic than the temple, to wit the august person of Jesus the Messiah and his preeminent influence, Matthew 12:6 L T Tr WH; (cf. John 10:29 above); contextually equivalent to strict in condemning, of God, 1 John 3:20.
b. things to be esteemed highly for their importance, equivalent to Latin gravis; of great moment, of great wight, important: ἐπαγγέλματα, 2 Peter 1:4; ἐντολή, Matthew 22:36, 38; μσυτηριον, Ephesians 5:32; 1 Timothy 3:16; ἁμαρτία, John 19:11; μείζων μαρτυρία, of greater proving power, John 5:36 (see above at the beginning); 1 John 5:9 (μαρτυρίαν μείζω καί σαφεστεραν, Isocrates Archid. § 32). μέγας equivalent to solemn, sacred, of festival days (cf. Isaiah 1:18, the Sept.): ἡμέρα, John 7:37; John 19:31; notable, august, ἡμέρα, of the day of the final judgment, Acts 2:20; Jude 1:6; Revelation 6:17; Revelation 16:14. neuter μέγα, a great matter, thing of great moment: 1 Corinthians 9:11 (Genesis 45:28; Isaiah 49:6); οὐ μέγα, 2 Corinthians 11:15.
c. a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence, equivalent to excellent: 1 Corinthians 13:13 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 35, i. Buttmann, § 123, 13); τά χαρίσματα τά μείζονα (R G κρείττονα), 1 Corinthians 12:31 L T Tr WH.
3. splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately: δοχή, Luke 5:29 (Genesis 21:8); δεῖπνον, Luke 14:16; Revelation 19:17 (G L T Tr WH) (Daniel 5:1 (Theod.)); οἰκία, 2 Timothy 2:20 (Jeremiah 52:13; (οἶκος), 2 Chronicles 2:5, 9).
4. neuter plural μεγάλα, great things: of God's preeminent blessings, Luke 1:49 L T Tr WH (see μεγαλεῖος); of things which overstep the province of a created being, proud (presumptuous) things, full of arrogance, derogatory to the majesty of God: λαλοῦν μεγάλα joined with βλασφημίας, Revelation 13:5; Daniel 7:8, 11, 20; like μέγα εἰπεῖν, Homer, Odyssey 3, 227; 16, 243; 22, 288.

BLB Scripture Index of Thayer's