ἀνοίγω
anoigō
to open
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀνοίγω (anoigō) is primarily defined as "to open". This verb can be observed in a variety of contexts, ranging from physical actions, such as opening a door or a window, to metaphorical concepts, like understanding, interpreting, or revealing something. In its broad usage throughout the Bible (occurring 78 times), ἀνοίγω often serves to describe a change from a closed to an open state. For instance, it may imply a transition from secrecy to disclosure or from darkness to light. This openness can manifest in various domains, such as spiritual or physical realms. The significance of ἀνοίγω in the biblical context underscores the idea that access, knowledge, or understanding are not limited to restricted areas. Instead, the verb suggests an action or movement towards clarity, revelation, or expansion.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
78 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 3:16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
Matthew 5:2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
Matthew 7:7“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
Matthew 7:8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 9:30Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.”
Matthew 13:35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”
Matthew 17:27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Matthew 20:33They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
Matthew 25:11Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
Matthew 27:52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Mark 7:35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.
Luke 1:64His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
Luke 3:21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,
Luke 11:9“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.
Luke 11:10For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 12:36Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the wedding feast; that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.
Luke 13:25When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
John 1:51He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
John 9:10They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?”
John 9:14It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.
John 9:17Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
John 9:21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”
John 9:26They said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
John 9:30The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
John 9:32Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.
John 10:3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
John 10:21Others said, “These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”
John 11:37Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”
Acts 8:35Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
Acts 5:19But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said,
Acts 5:23“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
Acts 8:32Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
Acts 9:8Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Acts 9:40Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Acts 10:11He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
Acts 10:34Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;
Acts 12:10When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Acts 12:14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
Acts 12:16But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
Acts 14:27When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.
Acts 16:26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened.
Acts 16:27The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
Acts 18:14But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
Acts 26:18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Romans 3:13“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”
1 Corinthians 16:9for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
2 Corinthians 2:12Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,
2 Corinthians 6:11Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
Colossians 4:3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,