αἰτία, -ας, ἡ,
[in LXX: Ge 4:13 (עָוֹן), Pr 28:17 (עָשַׁק), and freq. in Wi, II, III Mac;]
1. cause, reason, occasion, case: Mt 19:3, Lk 8:47, Ac 10:2122:2428:20, II Ti 1:6, 12, Tit 1:13, He 2:11; εἰ οὕτως ἐστιν ἡ αἰ. (cf. Lat. si ita res se habet, and v. MM. VGT, s.v.), Mt 19:10.
2. In forensic sense,
(b) cause for punishment, crime: Mt 27:37, Mk 15:26, Jo 18:3819:4, 6, Ac 13:2823:2828:18.†
SYN.: ἔλεγχος, a charge, whether moral or judicial, which has been proven, αἰ. is an accusation simply, false or true.