ποιέω
poieō
to do/make: do
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "ποιέω" (poieō) is a fundamental verb in the New Testament, used a total of 566 times. At its core, it means "to do" or "to make." This verb encompasses a wide range of actions, from physical activities like creating or producing something, to abstract concepts like accomplishing or achieving a goal. The versatility of "ποιέω" is evident in its various contexts. It can describe physical actions, such as Jesus' command to "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19), or it can convey a sense of accomplishment, as in the phrase "I have done all things" (Acts 20:24). This verb also has a strong connotation of agency, emphasizing the person or group responsible for the action. For example, in John 14:12, Jesus says "whoever believes in me will also do the works I do," highlighting the connection between faith and action. The significance of "ποιέω" lies in its emphasis on the importance of action and responsibility. By using this verb repeatedly throughout the New Testament, the authors stress the need for believers to take concrete steps in their faith, rather than simply professing it. This verb's ubiquity in the Bible underscores the idea that faith is not just a mental assent, but a lived experience that requires active participation and commitment.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
566 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
Matthew 1:24Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Matthew 3:3For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!”
Matthew 3:8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
Matthew 3:10“Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 4:19He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”
Matthew 5:19Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:2Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:2Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:3But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
Matthew 6:3But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
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 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 7:17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 7:17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Matthew 7:18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Matthew 7:19Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
Matthew 7:24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.
Matthew 7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 8:9For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Matthew 8:9For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Matthew 9:28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:3But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;
Matthew 26:12For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
Matthew 26:13Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”
Matthew 12:12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
Matthew 12:16and commanded them that they should not make him known:
Matthew 12:33“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matthew 12:33“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matthew 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Matthew 13:26But when the blade sprang up and produced fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also.
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 13:41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,
Matthew 13:58He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
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 18:35So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
Matthew 19:4He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,