κρατέω
krateō
to grasp/seize
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "κρατέω" (krateō) is a verb that means "to grasp" or "to seize." It is used 47 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. In its most basic sense, "krateō" implies a physical or mental act of taking hold of something, whether it's a person, an object, or an idea. The range of usage for "krateō" is quite broad, encompassing various aspects of life, including physical strength, emotional control, and intellectual understanding. It can describe a person's ability to grasp a concept, to seize an opportunity, or to take hold of someone or something with physical force. This versatility is reflected in its 47 occurrences in the Bible, where it is used in different contexts, such as in descriptions of physical strength, spiritual struggles, and intellectual pursuits. The significance of "krateō" lies in its emphasis on the importance of control, grasp, and understanding in various aspects of life. It highlights the need for individuals to take hold of their circumstances, to seize opportunities, and to grasp the truth. By analyzing the usage of "krateō" in the Bible, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of control, strength, and understanding in our own lives.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
47 total occurrences across the text
But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 12:11He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out?
Matthew 14:3For Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
Matthew 21:46When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Matthew 22:6and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Matthew 26:4They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
Matthew 26:48Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”
Matthew 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.
Matthew 26:57Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
Matthew 28:9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Mark 1:31He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them.
Mark 3:21When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.”
Mark 5:41Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!”
Mark 6:17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.
Mark 7:3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.
Mark 7:4They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)
Mark 7:8“For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.”
Mark 9:10They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant.
Mark 9:27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
Mark 12:12They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.
Mark 14:1It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.
Mark 14:44Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”
Mark 14:46They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
Mark 14:49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”
Mark 14:51A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,
Luke 8:54But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!”
Luke 24:16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
John 20:23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
John 20:23If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
Acts 2:24whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
Acts 3:11As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Acts 24:6He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
Acts 27:13When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.
Colossians 2:19and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
2 Thessalonians 2:15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.
Hebrews 4:14Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession.
Hebrews 6:18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.
Revelation 2:1“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
Revelation 2:13“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Revelation 2:15So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise.
Revelation 2:25Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come.
Revelation 3:11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
Revelation 7:1After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.
Revelation 20:2He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,