Lexical Summary dialaleó: To converse, to speak with, to discuss Original Word: διαλαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to discussFrom dia and laleo; to talk throughout a company, i.e. Converse or (genitive case) publish -- commune, noise abroad. see GREEK dia see GREEK laleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and laleó Definition to discuss NASB Translation discussed (1), talked about (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1255: διαλαλέωδιαλαλέω: imperfect διελάλουν; imperfect passive διελαλουμην; to converse together, to talk with, (διά denoting by turns, or one with another; see διακατελέγχομαι), τί, passive (were talked of), Luke 1:65; πρός ἀλλήλους (as Polybius 23, 9, 6), τί ἄν ποιήσειαν (ποιήσαιεν, others), of the conference of men deliberating, Luke 6:11. (Euripides, Cycl. 175.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range The verb carries the idea of spoken exchange that moves “through and through,” whether by being spread widely or by persistent back-and-forth discussion. It does not merely report speech; it pictures an active circulation of words that stir communal consciousness. Occurrences in Luke Luke alone employs the term, and both instances appear at decisive moments that unveil hearts. Luke 1:65 portrays awe-filled neighbors recounting the miraculous birth of John, while Luke 6:11 presents enraged religious leaders conferring about silencing Jesus. The same verb therefore frames both reverent proclamation and hostile plotting, revealing that human response to divine intervention can diverge sharply even while using the identical vehicle of communal conversation. Witness of Wonder (Luke 1:65) “Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these events were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.” The birth of John, coupled with Zechariah’s restored speech, became the talk of the region. The verb underscores that the news was not a fleeting mention but a sustained retelling that moved from home to home and hill to hill. In Luke’s infancy narrative, such rumor-bearing functions as grassroots evangelism; God’s acts prompt ordinary people to become heralds long before formal preaching begins (compare Luke 2:17). The wide circulation prepared a people for the Messiah by awakening expectation and reverence. Counsel of Malice (Luke 6:11) “But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.” After Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, the scribes and Pharisees also spread words “through and through,” but their dialogue incubated violence. What the crowds in Luke 1 voiced in wonder, the leaders in Luke 6 murmured in fury. Luke positions the verb to expose the tragic possibility that speech—gifted for testimony—can be commandeered for conspiracy. Lukan Theology and the Motif of Speech Luke is particularly attentive to speech as a barometer of the heart (Luke 6:45). Songs (Luke 1–2), prayers (Luke 11), proclamations (Acts), and conversations all disclose allegiance. By selecting this verb twice, Luke binds together two contrasting narrative threads: the spontaneous witness of the humble and the secret plotting of the powerful. In both cases, spoken words become the corridor through which God’s redemptive plan advances, whether by preparation for Christ’s coming or by setting in motion the events that lead to the cross. Historical and Cultural Backdrop First-century Judea depended on oral communication; written scrolls were scarce and expensive. Village life revolved around communal courtyards, market stalls, and synagogue gatherings where news traveled quickly. A striking miracle or a controversial healing could dominate conversation for days. Understanding this oral environment helps modern readers feel the weight of the verb: it depicts a social phenomenon similar to a report “going viral,” yet governed by face-to-face interaction. Comparative Vocabulary Unlike διδάσκω (“teach”) or κηρύσσω (“preach”), the verb in view lacks formal authority. It is closer to συζητέω (“dispute”) but without the adversarial overtone, and to διαλέγομαι (“reason, dialogue”) but without the emphasis on logical argument. Its distinctive nuance is breadth and persistence rather than content or tone, allowing context to supply either reverence or hostility. Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. God often leverages informal conversation to advance His purposes. Believers should recognize the evangelistic potential of everyday speech and trust that a simple testimony can ripple across social networks. Homiletical Suggestions • A sermon contrasting Luke 1:65 and Luke 6:11 can challenge hearers: “What account is your conversation spreading?” Summary Strong’s Greek 1255 spotlights speech that permeates a community. Luke uses it to depict both the joyful buzzing of a miracle and the dark whispering of opposition. In either case, the narrative shows that what people repeatedly talk about shapes collective destiny. The disciple therefore stewards conversation as a holy trust, ensuring that Christ—not fear or fury—remains the chief subject discussed “through and through.” Forms and Transliterations διέλαθον διελαλειτο διελαλείτο διελαλεῖτο διελαλουν διελάλουν dielaleito dielaleîto dielaloun dielálounLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:65 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: τῆς Ἰουδαίας διελαλεῖτο πάντα τὰ NAS: matters were being talked about in all KJV: sayings were noised abroad throughout INT: of Judea were being talked of all the things Luke 6:11 V-IIA-3P Strong's Greek 1255 |
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