πορφύραν [1 verse](noun sg fem acc) "Purple" is porphyra, which means "purple", a "purple fish," "purple dye" and a "purple stripe". -- "Purple" is the Greek adjective that means "purple", "purple dyed" and a "purple stripe". This is the only time Jesus uses this word. The purple stripe was specifically used on the clothing of Roman senators and the color from purple snails was known as Tyrian purple.