Lexical Summary diastelló: To instruct, to order, to command, to distinguish Original Word: διαστέλλω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance set apart for service, distinguishMiddle voice from dia and stello; to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e. (by implication) to enjoin -- charge, that which was (give) commanded(-ment). see GREEK dia see GREEK stello HELPS Word-studies 1291 diastéllomai (from 1223 /diá, "through, thorough," which intensifies 4724 /stéllō, "send") – properly, send through (effectively divide), referring to giving an explicit command – i.e. that is unambiguously clear. [1291 (diastéllomai) means "to command (charge) expressly"; "originally, . . . 'to put asunder'; hence, 'to distinguish,' and so of a commandment or injunction to distinguish" (as), i.e. is expressly clear" (A-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and stelló Definition to set apart, fig. to distinguish, to charge expressly NASB Translation command (1), gave...orders (3), gave...instruction (1), giving orders (1), ordered (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1291: διαστέλλωδιαστέλλω: to draw asunder, divide, distinguish, dispose, order, (Plato, Polybius, Diodorus, Strabo, Plutarch; often in the Sept.); passive τό διαστελλόμενον, the injunction: Hebrews 12:20 (2 Macc. 14:28). Middle, (present διαστέλλομαι); imperfect διεστελλομην; 1 aorist διεστειλαμην; to open oneself, i. e. one's mind, to set forth distinctly, (Aristotle, Polybius); hence, in the N. T. (so Ezekiel 3:18, 19; Judith 11:12) to admonish, order, charge: τίνι, Mark 8:15; Acts 15:24; followed by (ἵνα (cf. Buttmann, 237 (204)), Matthew 16:20 R T Tr WH marginal reading; Mark 7:36; Mark 9:9; διεστείλατο πολλά, ἵνα etc. Mark 5:43. Topical Lexicon Overview of New Testament Usage The verb behind Strong’s Greek number 1291 appears eight times in the New Testament and consistently carries a sense of giving a clear, firm, and often protective directive. Whether uttered by the Lord Jesus, the apostles, or cited in reflection on the Mosaic covenant, each occurrence stresses the solemnity of the instruction and the responsibility of the hearer to obey. Commands to Conceal Revelatory Events 1. Matthew 16:20 – “Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.” These four texts form a core pattern in the Synoptic Gospels sometimes called the “Messianic Secret.” The directives protect the timing of revelation, preventing premature or distorted public acclaim. They also deepen the disciples’ private instruction, preparing them to testify accurately after the resurrection. The repeated, intensified form underscores Christ’s authority over both miracle and message. Protective Warnings Against Spiritual Danger Mark 8:15 – “Watch out! He warned them. ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.’” Here the verb introduces a preventative caution rather than a command of silence. The “yeast” symbolizes corrupt teaching and worldly influence; the warning shields the disciples from subtle, pervasive error. The use of the same verb that elsewhere commands secrecy highlights that guarding truth sometimes requires both what is withheld and what is confronted. Apostolic Authority and Church Order Acts 15:24 – “Since we have heard that some of our number have troubled you with their words, unsettling your minds and saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ we did not give them any such instruction.” The Jerusalem elders clarify that unauthorized teachers lacked their explicit commissioning. The occurrence reveals early church governance: genuine directives originate from recognized apostolic authority, ensuring unity and safeguarding the gospel from legalistic distortion. Covenantal Boundaries at Sinai Hebrews 12:20 – “for they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.’” Recalling Exodus 19:12-13, the writer contrasts the fearsome restrictions around Sinai with the believer’s access to the heavenly Zion. The verb frames the Mosaic command as divinely imposed and unbreakable, highlighting the gravity of approaching a holy God under the old covenant and the surpassing grace afforded in Christ. Theological Reflections • Divine commands—whether to conceal, to beware, or to separate—serve redemptive ends. Practical Ministry Applications • Timing Matters: Not every truth is to be broadcast immediately. Pastors and teachers can learn from Christ’s restraint, discerning when a congregation is ready to receive deeper doctrine. Summary Strong’s Greek 1291 depicts decisive, protective directives across gospel narrative, apostolic decree, and covenantal reflection. Wherever it appears, the term underscores the seriousness of divine instruction and the believer’s call to heed, whether the command is to speak, to refrain, to beware, or to draw near in holy fear. Forms and Transliterations διασταλήσεται διασταλήσονται διαστάλητε διαστείλαι διαστείλας διαστείλασθαι διαστείλη διάστειλον διαστελεί διαστελείς διαστελείτε διαστέλλειν διαστελλομενον διαστελλόμενον διαστέλλουσα διαστελούσιν διαστελώ διεστάλη διεστάλησαν διεσταλμένα διεσταλμένον διέστειλα διεστειλαμεθα διεστειλάμεθα διεστείλαμεθα διέστειλαν διέστειλας διεστειλατο διεστείλατο διέστειλε διέστειλεν διεστείλω διεστελλετο διεστέλλετο diastellomenon diastellómenon diesteilametha diesteilámetha diesteilato diesteílato diestelleto diestélletoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 16:20 V-AIA-3SGRK: Τότε διεστείλατο τοῖς μαθηταῖς INT: Then instructed he the disciples Mark 5:43 V-AIM-3S Mark 7:36 V-AIM-3S Mark 7:36 V-IIM-3S Mark 8:15 V-IIM-3S Mark 9:9 V-AIM-3S Acts 15:24 V-AIM-1P Hebrews 12:20 V-PPM/P-ANS Strong's Greek 1291 |
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