ἐπίσταμαι
epistamai
to know/understand
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai) is a verb that means "to know" or "to understand". It is used in the New Testament 14 times, indicating its importance in the biblical narrative. The word suggests a depth of knowledge or comprehension that goes beyond mere acquaintance or familiarity. In its usage, ἐπίσταμαι often implies a sense of intimacy or familiarity with a person, place, or thing. For example, in the Gospel of John, Jesus says that he "knows" his sheep (John 10:14), suggesting a deep and personal understanding of their needs and characteristics. This word also implies a sense of certainty or conviction, as when the apostle Paul writes that he "knows" the Lord (Philippians 3:8). The significance of ἐπίσταμαι lies in its emphasis on the importance of genuine understanding and knowledge in relationships and spiritual growth. It highlights the value of going beyond superficial knowledge and developing a deeper, more intimate connection with others and with God.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences across the text
But he denied it, saying, “I neither know, nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
Acts 10:28He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
Acts 15:7When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.
Acts 18:25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
Acts 19:15The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
Acts 19:25whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
Acts 20:18When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
Acts 22:19I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.
Acts 24:10When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
Acts 26:26For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.
1 Timothy 6:4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,
Hebrews 11:8By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
James 4:14Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Jude 1:10But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason.