φόβος
phobos
fear
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word φόβος (phobos) signifies fear. It appears 47 times in the Bible. This concept of fear encompasses a range of intensities, from mild apprehension to intense anxiety or even terror. φόβος is used to express both objective and subjective experiences of fear. On the one hand, it can signify a realistic fear of a tangible threat, such as an enemy or a physical danger. On the other hand, it can also represent an emotional reaction, perhaps disproportionate to the actual situation. The word φόβος is employed in various contexts, from descriptions of natural disasters to accounts of human emotions. The frequency and versatility of φόβος in the Bible suggest that it is an essential aspect of human experience, worthy of attention and exploration. By analyzing the contexts and connotations of φόβος, it becomes clear that this concept is central to understanding human emotions, behavior, and relationships.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
47 total occurrences across the text
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
Matthew 28:4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:8They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
Mark 4:41They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Luke 1:12Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
Luke 1:65Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
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 5:26Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
Luke 7:16Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!”
Luke 8:37All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered into the boat and returned.
Luke 21:26men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
John 7:13Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 19:38After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.
John 20:19When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
Acts 2:43Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Acts 5:5Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.
Acts 5:11Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
Acts 9:31So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Romans 3:18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Romans 8:15For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 13:3For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
Romans 13:7Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:7Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1 Corinthians 2:3I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
2 Corinthians 5:11Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:5For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
2 Corinthians 7:11For behold, this same thing, that you were grieved in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
2 Corinthians 7:15His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.
1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
Ephesians 5:21subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 6:5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
Philippians 2:12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Hebrews 2:15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
1 Peter 1:17If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear,
1 Peter 2:18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect: not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
1 Peter 3:2seeing your pure behavior in fear.
1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
1 Peter 3:16having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
Jude 1:23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Revelation 11:11After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them.
Revelation 18:10standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.’
Revelation 18:15The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,