φοβέω
phobeō
to fear
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek verb φοβέω (phobeō) translates to "to fear." With 95 occurrences in the Bible, it is a widely used term that encompasses a range of meanings related to fear. This verb can describe a sense of awe, reverence, or even alarm in response to a situation or entity. φοβέω is often used to express fear of a perceived threat, which can be physical, spiritual, or even emotional. In some contexts, it denotes a sense of reverence or respect, such as when people "fear" a powerful entity or authority. The verb can also be used in a more neutral or even positive sense, as when one "fears" something in the sense of being aware of its importance or value. The significance of φοβέω lies in its ubiquity across various biblical texts, suggesting that the concept of fear is fundamental to the human experience. Its multiple applications demonstrate the complexities of fear as a universal emotion, from its darker aspects to its more positive connotations.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
95 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 2:22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
Matthew 9:8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 10:26Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known.
Matthew 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:31Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 14:27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:30But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 17:6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
Matthew 17:7Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
Matthew 21:46When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Matthew 25:25I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
Matthew 27:54Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Matthew 28:5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
Matthew 28:10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Mark 4:41They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 5:15They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.
Mark 5:33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
Mark 5:36But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”
Mark 6:20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
Mark 6:50for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 9:32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Mark 10:32They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
Mark 11:18The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.
Mark 11:32If we should say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
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 16:8They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.
Luke 1:13But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Luke 1:30The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 1:50His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
Luke 2:9Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Luke 2:10The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
Luke 5:10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”
Luke 8:25He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
Luke 8:35People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Luke 8:50But Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.”
Luke 9:34While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.
Luke 9:45But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Luke 12:4“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 12:5But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:5But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:5But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:7But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:32Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
Luke 18:2saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.
Luke 18:4He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,
Luke 19:21for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’