ἀπολύω
apoluō
to release: release
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀπολύω (apoluō) is primarily used to convey the idea of releasing or letting go of something or someone. This meaning can be both physical and figurative, depending on the context in which the word is used. In terms of its range of usage, ἀπολύω appears 54 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various aspects of life, including relationships, responsibilities, and circumstances. It is used to describe physical release, such as the act of unbinding or loosing chains (Matthew 17:27), as well as spiritual release, like forgiving debts (Matthew 6:14-15) or being freed from sin (Romans 6:7). The significance of ἀπολύω lies in its ability to convey a sense of liberation or freedom. By examining its usage in the Bible, one can understand the importance of release in both physical and spiritual contexts, highlighting the value of letting go of burdens, releasing the past, and moving towards freedom and new beginnings.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
54 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”
Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Matthew 14:23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
Matthew 15:23But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
Matthew 15:39Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
Matthew 18:27The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Matthew 27:15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired.
Matthew 27:17When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”
Matthew 27:21But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
Matthew 27:26Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.
Mark 6:36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.”
Mark 6:45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
Mark 8:3If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.”
Mark 8:9Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.
Mark 15:6Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
Mark 15:9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
Mark 15:11But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
Mark 15:15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
Luke 13:12When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”
Luke 2:29“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
Luke 6:37Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Luke 6:37Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Luke 8:38But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
Luke 9:12The day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place.”
Luke 14:4But they were silent. He took him, and healed him, and let him go.
Luke 22:68and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.
Luke 23:16I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Luke 23:17Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
Luke 23:18But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”—
Luke 23:20Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,
Luke 23:22He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Luke 23:25He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
John 18:39But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
John 18:39But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
John 19:10Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you and have power to crucify you?”
John 19:12At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
John 19:12At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.
Acts 4:21When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
Acts 4:23Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 5:40They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Acts 13:3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 15:30So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
Acts 15:33After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.
Acts 16:35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.”
Acts 16:36The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go in peace.”
Acts 17:9When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Acts 19:41When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 23:22So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”