ἀναχωρέω
anachōreō
to leave
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredAnalytically, the Greek verb ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō) conveys the idea of leaving or departure. The fact that it occurs 14 times in the Bible suggests that the concept of leaving is significant across various contexts. The verb can be applied broadly, encompassing actions such as leaving a place (Mark 5:19), leaving one's possessions (Luke 18:22), and leaving with a group (John 1:37). The common thread throughout these occurrences highlights the idea of withdrawal or moving away from something, which could be physical, material, or social. The significance of this verb lies in understanding the range of choices and actions people make in response to various circumstances. It implies a sense of agency and decision-making, as individuals decide to leave or remain in different situations. By examining the various uses of ἀναχωρέω in the Bible, readers can gain insight into the importance of weighing options and making deliberate choices.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences across the text
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 2:12Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Matthew 2:13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:14He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,
Matthew 2:22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
Matthew 4:12Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
Matthew 9:24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him.
Matthew 12:15Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
Matthew 15:21Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Matthew 27:5He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.
Mark 3:7Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
John 6:15Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Acts 23:19The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
Acts 26:31When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”