θέλω
thelō
to will/desire
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word θέλω (thelō) is a fundamental concept in the New Testament, appearing 211 times in the Bible. At its core, θέλω means "to will" or "desire," indicating a sense of intention, preference, or volition. This verb is often used to express a person's wishes, goals, or motivations. θέλω is used in a wide range of contexts, from expressing personal desires (e.g., "I will go") to describing God's will or purpose (e.g., "God's will is to be done"). It can also convey a sense of decision-making or choice (e.g., "I will choose this path"). The verb's versatility allows it to be used in various situations, from everyday conversations to more formal or spiritual contexts. The significance of θέλω lies in its emphasis on human agency and free will. By using this verb, the New Testament authors highlight the importance of making deliberate choices and taking responsibility for one's actions. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of faith, where individuals are encouraged to seek God's will and align their desires with His purposes.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
211 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
Matthew 1:19Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
Matthew 2:18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 7:12Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 8:2Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
Matthew 8:3Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 9:13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 11:14If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
Matthew 12:7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
Matthew 12:38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Matthew 13:28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’
Matthew 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
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 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 17:4Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
Matthew 18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.
Matthew 18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 19:21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Matthew 20:14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
Matthew 20:15Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
Matthew 20:21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:27Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,
Matthew 20:32Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Matthew 21:29He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
Matthew 22:3and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Matthew 23:4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.
Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
Matthew 26:15and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
Matthew 26:39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
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 27:34they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
Matthew 27:43He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
Mark 1:40A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”
Mark 1:41Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.”
Mark 3:13He went up into the mountain, and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.
Mark 6:19Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,
Mark 6:22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
Mark 6:25She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
Mark 6:26The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
Mark 6:48Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
Mark 7:24From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice.