ἀγαπάω
agapaō
to love
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀγαπάω (agapaō) is a verb that translates to "to love." Itregularly appears 143 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the text. The meaning of agapaō is not limited to romantic love, but encompasses a broader sense of affection, care, and devotion. The range of usage for agapaō is diverse, with applications in various contexts, including relationships between family members, friends, and even God. This verb is often used to describe the actions of individuals who demonstrate love and kindness towards others, such as providing for their needs or showing compassion. The significance of agapaō lies in its emphasis on the value of love as a fundamental aspect of human relationships and interactions. Its frequent appearance in the Bible underscores the importance of love as a guiding principle for individuals and communities, highlighting its role in fostering connections, promoting well-being, and creating a sense of belonging.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
143 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Matthew 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Matthew 19:19‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:39A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 10:21Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
Mark 12:30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:31The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Mark 12:33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Luke 6:27“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
Luke 7:5for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.”
Luke 7:42When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Luke 10:27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 11:43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 16:13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.”
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
John 3:35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
John 8:42Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me.
John 10:17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
John 11:5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 12:43for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
John 13:1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.
John 13:34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
John 13:34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
John 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
John 14:24He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
John 14:28You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.
John 14:31But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.
John 15:9Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
John 15:9Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
John 15:12“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
John 15:12“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.