archon denotes a leader or authority figure, chiefly public or religious leaders and also rulers defined by a wider sphere of authority.

The term most often identifies human leaders in public, judicial, religious, or communal settings; it also names individual authorities whose authority is described as extending over demons, the world or air, or the kings of the earth.

1. Human leaders and officials · dominant

   Plural and singular noun forms identify people occupying recognized leadership positions. In Acts 4:8 the vocative plural addresses “Rulers of the people and elders,” while Acts 7:35 places the singular alongside “judge”; Matthew 20:25 describes rulers of the Gentiles exercising authority, and Romans 13:3 discusses rulers in relation to good and evil conduct. In 1 Corinthians 2:8, the genitive plural is connected with “the rulers of this age” who did not know the wisdom described in the verse.

   Acts 4:8Acts 7:35John 3:1Matthew 20:25Romans 13:31 Corinthians 2:8
2. Individual authority identified by its domain · occasional

   Singular forms designate an authority by the sphere named with it. Matthew 12:24 and Mark 3:22 place the term in the accusation concerning “the ruler of the demons”; John 12:31 and Ephesians 2:2 identify a ruler in relation to “this world” and “the authority of the air.” Revelation 1:5 applies the same singular title in the clause “the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

   Matthew 12:24Mark 3:22Luke 11:15John 12:31Ephesians 2:2Revelation 1:5

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly presents the term with “ruler” or “rulers,” including rulers of people, Gentiles, demons, and the world. It also uses “lords” in Acts 16:19; Such variation reflects the translation’s presentation of the clause rather than a separate lexical definition.