Lexical Summary diacheirizomai: To manage, to handle, to deal with, to dispose of Original Word: διαχειρίζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance kill, slay. From dia and a derivative of cheir; to handle thoroughly, i.e. Lay violent hands upon -- kill, slay. see GREEK dia see GREEK cheir Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1315: διαχειρίζωδιαχειρίζω: 1 aorist middle διεχειρισαμην; "to move by the use of the hands, take in hand, manage, administer, govern (from (Andocides ( STRONGS NT 1315a: διαχλευάζωδιαχλευάζω; to deride, scoff, mock (deridere i. e.ridendo exagitare Winer's): Acts 2:13 G L T Tr WH. (Plato, Ax., p. 364 b.; Demosthenes, p. 1221, 26 (adverb Polycl. 49); Aeschines dial. 3, 2; Polybius 17, 4, 4; others; ecclesiastical writings) Cf. Winer's De verb. comp. etc, Part v., p. 17. The verb behind Strong’s Greek 1315 portrays the act of seizing or disposing of someone by direct, violent use of one’s own hands. Unlike generic terms for “kill” or “slay,” this word underscores personal involvement and deliberate intent, emphasizing human responsibility when life is taken or threatened. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 5:30 – Peter indicts the Sanhedrin: “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.” Contextual Significance in Acts Acts 5:30 locates the word in the apostolic proclamation of the resurrection. Peter asserts that the same council now judging the apostles had personally taken part in the violent death of Jesus Christ. By employing this vivid verb, Luke heightens the contrast between human hostility and divine vindication—“raised up” stands against “you had killed.” Acts 26:21 shows the term turned against God’s envoy, Paul. His preaching of the risen Christ provoked the same murderous resolve once directed at Jesus. The pattern reveals the continuity of opposition to the gospel and fulfills Jesus’ forewarning in John 15:20. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Jewish courts could condemn but depended on Roman authority for execution. The term therefore captures the fury of mobs or leaders who, circumventing due process, attempted to end a life through direct action (Stephen’s stoning, lynch mobs at Lystra, temple riots). Such violence reflected zeal for perceived orthodoxy but also blindness to God’s redemptive work. Theological Themes 1. Human Guilt and Divine Sovereignty – While men “laid hands” on Jesus, God ordained His sacrificial death (Acts 2:23). The same tension reappears with Paul: human plans to kill him serve only to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14). Ministry Implications • Bold Witness – Peter and Paul speak plainly of their opponents’ acts without rancor, modeling truthful, Spirit-empowered proclamation (Acts 4:31). Related Biblical Concepts • “Laying hands on” for blessing or ordination (Numbers 27:23; 1 Timothy 4:14) contrasts sharply with hands used for violence, reminding believers of the choice between fostering life and destroying it. Reflection in Christian Life and Mission The sparse but pointed use of Strong’s 1315 distills a core reality of gospel advance: redeemed people meet unredeemed hostility. Recognizing this equips believers to respond with courage, proclaim resurrection hope, and entrust outcomes to the righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:18). Englishman's Concordance Acts 5:30 V-AIM-2PGRK: ὃν ὑμεῖς διεχειρίσασθε κρεμάσαντες ἐπὶ NAS: whom you had put to death by hanging KJV: whom ye slew and hanged on INT: whom you killed having hanged on Acts 26:21 V-ANM Strong's Greek 1315 |
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