κωλύω
kōluō
to prevent
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the given data, the Greek verb κωλύω (kōluō) means "to prevent." This verb appears 23 times in the Bible, indicating its significance and wide usage throughout the text. Its meaning is straightforward: to hinder or stop something from happening. However, the range of usage suggests that κωλύω can also imply thwarting or hindering the plans or desires of someone else. In essence, it is about obstruction or interference, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others. The frequency of its appearance underscores its importance in the biblical narrative, likely indicating its relevance to various themes, such as opposition, resistance, and conflict. Further analysis would require examining the specific contexts in which κωλύω appears, but given its translation and frequency, it is clear that preventing or hindering is a significant concept in the biblical text.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
23 total occurrences across the text
But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
Mark 9:38John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”
Mark 9:39But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.
Mark 10:14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
Luke 6:29To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.
Luke 9:49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”
Luke 9:50Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”
Luke 11:52Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”
Luke 18:16Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
Luke 23:2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
Acts 8:36As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
Acts 10:47“Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
Acts 11:17If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”
Acts 16:6When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
Acts 24:23He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
Acts 27:43But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;
Romans 1:13Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 14:39Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
1 Thessalonians 2:16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.
1 Timothy 4:3forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Hebrews 7:23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
2 Peter 2:16but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.
3 John 1:10Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.