ἀσπάζομαι
aspazomai
to pay respects to
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀσπάζομαι (aspazomai) is a verb that means "to pay respects to." This action involves showing honor, greeting, or welcoming someone, often with a sense of reverence or affection. With 60 occurrences in the Bible, it is a commonly used word in ancient Greek literature. The range of usage for ἀσπάζομαι is quite broad, encompassing various social contexts. It can be used to describe formal greetings between dignitaries, as well as informal welcomes between friends and family. In some cases, it may even imply a sense of reverence or awe, as when someone pays respects to a superior or a revered figure. The significance of ἀσπάζομαι lies in its ability to convey a sense of respect, hospitality, and community. In the biblical context, it often appears in scenes of social interaction, where characters extend or receive greetings, hospitality, or welcome. By analyzing this word, we can gain insight into the cultural values and social norms of ancient Greek society, particularly in relation to respect, hospitality, and community building.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
60 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 10:12As you enter into the household, greet it.
Mark 9:15Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him.
Mark 15:18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Luke 1:40and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
Luke 10:4Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
Acts 18:22When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
Acts 20:1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
Acts 21:6After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.
Acts 21:7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day.
Acts 21:19When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 25:13Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
Romans 16:3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Romans 16:5Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
Romans 16:6Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
Romans 16:7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me.
Romans 16:8Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.
Romans 16:9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.
Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
Romans 16:11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Romans 16:11Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Romans 16:12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
Romans 16:12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
Romans 16:13Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Romans 16:14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
Romans 16:15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Romans 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
Romans 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.
Romans 16:21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.
Romans 16:22I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
Romans 16:23Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
Romans 16:23Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
1 Corinthians 16:19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
1 Corinthians 16:19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
1 Corinthians 16:20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 Corinthians 16:20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Philippians 4:21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Philippians 4:21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Philippians 4:22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
Colossians 4:10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Colossians 4:15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
1 Thessalonians 5:26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
2 Timothy 4:19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
2 Timothy 4:21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
Titus 3:15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.