χαίρω
chairō
to rejoice
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word χαίρω (chairō) is a verb that means "to rejoice." It is used 74 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. The word essentially conveys a sense of happiness, joy, or delight, often in response to a particular event or circumstance. The range of usage for χαίρω is quite broad, encompassing various situations such as celebrating a birth (Luke 1:44), experiencing relief or rescue (Psalm 118:24, Acts 16:34), or rejoicing in the presence of God (Psalm 100:1-2, Luke 10:20). This versatility suggests that χαίρω is a fundamental emotion in human experience, one that can be expressed in different ways depending on the context. The significance of χαίρω lies in its emphasis on the positive emotions that people experience in response to various events. By highlighting the importance of rejoicing, the Bible encourages readers to cultivate a sense of gratitude, appreciation, and joy in their lives, even in the face of challenges or difficulties.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
74 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 18:13If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
Matthew 26:49Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Matthew 27:29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Matthew 28:9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Mark 14:11They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.
Mark 15:18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Luke 1:14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
Luke 6:23Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.
Luke 10:20Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 13:17As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Luke 15:5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luke 15:32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
Luke 19:6He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.
Luke 19:37As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen,
Luke 22:5They were glad, and agreed to give him money.
Luke 23:8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.
John 3:29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
John 4:36He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
John 8:56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”
John 11:15I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
John 14:28You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.
John 16:20Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
John 16:22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
John 19:3They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.
John 20:20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
Acts 5:41They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
Acts 8:39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 11:23who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
Acts 13:48As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 15:23They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
Acts 15:31When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
Acts 23:26“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
Romans 12:12rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
2 Corinthians 7:9I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
Romans 16:19For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.
1 Corinthians 7:30and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;
1 Corinthians 7:30and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;
1 Corinthians 13:6doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
1 Corinthians 16:17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
2 Corinthians 2:3And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
2 Corinthians 6:10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 7:13Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
2 Corinthians 7:16I rejoice that in everything I am confident concerning you.
2 Corinthians 13:9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.