φέρω
pherō
to bear/lead
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word φέρω (phero) is a verb that means "to bear" or "to lead." This word is used 66 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in various contexts. In its most basic sense, φέρω refers to the physical act of carrying or bearing something, such as a load or a burden. However, the word's meaning extends beyond physical labor. It is also used metaphorically to describe the act of leading or guiding others, whether it be a group of people or an idea. This sense of φέρω is often associated with authority, responsibility, and guidance. The word's range of usage is broad, encompassing both physical and metaphorical contexts, and its significance lies in its ability to convey a sense of weight, burden, and responsibility. The frequency of φέρω's occurrence in the Bible suggests its importance in conveying themes related to leadership, guidance, and responsibility. Its versatility in conveying both physical and metaphorical meanings makes it a rich and nuanced word that adds depth and complexity to the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
66 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
Matthew 14:11His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
Matthew 14:18He said, “Bring them here to me.”
Matthew 17:17Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
Mark 11:2and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him.
Mark 1:32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.
Mark 2:3Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him.
Mark 4:8Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.”
Mark 6:27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark 6:28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
Mark 7:32They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.
Mark 8:22He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.
Mark 9:17One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;
Mark 9:19He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
Mark 9:20They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
Mark 11:7They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it.
Mark 12:15Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
Mark 12:16They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
Mark 15:22They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”
Luke 5:18Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.
Luke 15:23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate;
Luke 23:26When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.
Luke 24:1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
John 2:8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
John 2:8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
John 4:33The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
John 12:24Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:4Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
John 15:5I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:8“In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
John 15:16You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 18:29Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
John 19:39Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.
John 20:27Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
John 20:27Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
John 21:10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
John 21:18Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
Acts 2:2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 4:34For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
Acts 4:37having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:2and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:16The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.
Acts 12:10When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Acts 14:13The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
Acts 25:18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed;
Acts 27:15When the ship was caught and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
Acts 27:17After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.