ζάω
zaō
to live
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ζάω (zaō) means "to live." It is the most frequently occurring verb in the New Testament, appearing 143 times in the Bible. This word's significance lies in its broad application to various aspects of life, including physical existence, spiritual vitality, and social interaction. In its usage, ζάω encompasses both physical and metaphysical dimensions. It can describe the act of breathing (e.g., Acts 9:40), the experience of human life (e.g., Matthew 2:20), and the state of being alive in the spiritual realm (e.g., Colossians 2:13). The word's versatility allows it to be used in a range of contexts, from everyday conversations to theological discussions. The frequency and range of ζάω's usage in the Bible underscore its importance in the Christian narrative. As a fundamental concept, it is woven throughout the text, highlighting the value and significance of life in all its forms.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
143 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Matthew 16:16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 22:32‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Matthew 26:63But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Matthew 27:63saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Mark 5:23and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
Mark 12:27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”
Mark 16:11When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.
Luke 2:36There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
Luke 4:4Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
Luke 10:28He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”
Luke 15:13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
Luke 15:32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
Luke 20:38Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
Luke 20:38Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
Luke 24:5Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Luke 24:23and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
John 4:10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water?
John 4:50Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
John 4:51As he was now going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!”
John 4:53So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house.
John 5:25Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live.
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
John 6:57As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me.
John 6:57As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me.
John 6:57As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me.
John 6:58This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
John 6:69We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
John 7:38He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”
John 11:25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
John 11:26Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 14:19Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.
John 14:19Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.
Acts 1:3To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.
Acts 7:38This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us,
Acts 9:41He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Acts 10:42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 14:15“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
Romans 6:10For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.
Romans 6:10For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.
Acts 17:28‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
Acts 20:12They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
Romans 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”
Acts 22:22They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!”
Acts 25:19but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts 25:24Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
Acts 26:5having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.