primarily an adjective, denoting "loved, dear, or friendly," became used as a noun, (a) masculine, Matthew 11:19; fourteen times in Luke (once feminine, Luke 15:9 ); six in John; three in Acts; two in James, James 2:23 , "the friend of God;" James 4:4 , "a friend of the world;" 3 John 1:14 (twice); (b) feminine, Luke 15:9 , "her friends."
"a comrade, companion, partner," is used as a term of kindly address in Matthew 20:13; 22:12; 26:50 . This, as expressing comradeship, is to be distinguished from No. 1, which is a term of endearment. Some mss. have the word in Matthew 11:16; the best have heterois, others, AV and RV, "fellows." See FELLOW.
Notes: (1) The phrase hoi para autou, in Mark 3:21 , "his friends," lit. means "the (ones) beside Him," i.e., those belonging to him. (2) In Mark 5:19 , "thy friends" represents the phrase hoi soi, lit., "the (ones) to thee," i.e., "thine own.""to persuade, influence," is rendered "having made ... their friend" in Acts 12:20 , of the folks of Tyre and Sidon in winning the good will of Blastus, Herod's chamberlain, possibly with bribes. See ASSURE , B, No. 3.