Lexical Summary akoloutheó: To follow, to accompany Original Word: ἀκολουθέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance follow, reach. From a (as a particle of union) and keleuthos (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany (specially, as a disciple) -- follow, reach. see GREEK a NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a cop. prefix) and keleuthos (a road, way) Definition to follow NASB Translation follow (35), followed (36), following (17), follows (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 190: ἀκολουθέωἀκολουθέω, (ῶ; future ἀκολουθήσω; imperfect ἠκολούθουν; 1 aorist ἠκολούθησα; perfect ἠκολούθηκα (Mark 10:28 L T Tr WH); (from ἀκόλουθος, and this from a copulative and κέλευθος road, properly, walking the same road); 1. to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him: Matthew 4:25; Matthew 8:19; Matthew 9:19; Matthew 27:55; Mark 3:7; Mark 5:24 ( 2. to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple; side with his party, (A. V. follow him): Matthew 4:20, 22; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 19:27; Mark 1:18; Mark 8:34; Luke 5:11, 27, etc.; John 8:12 (where Jesus likens himself to a torch which the disciple follows); οὐκ ἀκολούθει ἡμῖν he is not of our band of thy disciples, Mark 9:38 to cleave steadfastly to one, conform wholly to his example, in living and if need be in dying also: Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; John 12:26; John 21:22. This verb is not found in the Epistles except in 1 Corinthians 10:4. As in the classics, it is joined mostly with a dative of the object; sometimes with μετά τίνος, Luke 9:49; Revelation 6:8 (Treg. marginal reading dative); Strong’s Greek 190 (akoloutheō) pictures more than walking behind someone; it denotes a deliberate, whole-person response of attachment, obedience, and ongoing companionship. In the New Testament it serves as the primary verb for discipleship, encapsulating the life of one who hears Christ’s call, abandons competing allegiances, and continues in loyal fellowship with Him. Old Testament and Jewish Background The Septuagint often renders Hebrew expressions such as “walk after” (halak achar) with akoloutheō (for example, Numbers 32:15; 1 Kings 14:8). Israel was repeatedly commanded to “walk after the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 13:4), an injunction that combined devotion, obedience, and covenant faithfulness. The New Testament writers build directly upon this heritage, presenting Jesus as the divine object to be followed with the same undivided allegiance formerly reserved for YHWH. Distribution in the New Testament Akoloutheō appears ninety times, concentrated in the Synoptic Gospels (particularly Matthew) and the Gospel of John, then less frequently in Acts, Pauline correspondence (once), and Revelation. The pattern mirrors salvation history: Jesus summons disciples during His earthly ministry; the church answers that summons in Acts; Revelation portrays consummate faithfulness in the face of final opposition. In Matthew: Immediate, Costly Obedience Matthew introduces the verb in the call narratives of the fishermen: “At once they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20). Twelve further crowd-scenes show multitudes following, yet Matthew stresses that true following is costly: “Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38); “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions… then come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). The promise matches the cost: “When the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones” (Matthew 19:28). In Mark: The Way of the Servant Mark’s fast-moving narrative uses akoloutheō to frame “the way” theology (Mark 10:52; 15:41). The hinge verse, Mark 8:34, invites “anyone” to deny self, take up the cross, and follow. In Mark 14:54 Peter “followed at a distance,” highlighting the peril of half-hearted discipleship. In Luke: Unconditional Kingdom Allegiance Luke’s travel narrative intensifies the demands: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Three prospective disciples each say “I will follow,” yet only the one who acts immediately meets the standard (Luke 9:57-62). Luke also records social outcasts who follow joyfully, such as the once-blind beggar: “Immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God” (Luke 18:43). In John: Relational Knowledge and Life John embeds akoloutheō in shepherd imagery: “The sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4); “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Early disciples inquire, “Rabbi, where are You staying?”—His reply, “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39), models personal, receptive following. Post-resurrection, Jesus restores Peter with the repeated injunction “Follow Me” (John 21:19, 22), uniting love, service, and martyrdom. Acts and the Early Church Though appearing only three times, akoloutheō in Acts illustrates that discipleship continues beyond the Ascension. Peter obeys the angel, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me” (Acts 12:8). In Antioch Pisidia “many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas” (Acts 13:43), transferring the pattern of following Jesus to following His authorized messengers. Pauline Literature The lone occurrence outside Acts and the Gospels is 1 Corinthians 10:4, where Israel’s wilderness community “drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.” Paul thus portrays Christ as the continuous divine companion of His people across redemptive history. Revelation: Eschatological Fidelity Akoloutheō frames ultimate loyalties. The 144,000 “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4), while Death, Hades, and demonic hordes likewise “follow” agents of judgment (Revelation 6:8; 14:8-9). Works “follow” the saints into eternity (Revelation 14:13), underscoring that genuine discipleship bears fruit that survives final evaluation. Theological Themes 1. Discipleship as Total Commitment To follow Jesus is to embrace Him as supreme authority, forsaking competing claims (family, wealth, self-preservation). 2. Obedience and Imitation Following implies walking the same path—sharing His sufferings, serving as He served, and obeying His commands. 3. Perseverance and Presence Present tense forms (“keep on following”) stress ongoing allegiance. Jesus’ promise “whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness” (John 8:12) guarantees guiding presence. 4. Mission and Multiplication Those who follow become fishers of others (Matthew 4:19). In Acts 13:43 new believers attach themselves to gospel proclaimers, extending the chain of discipleship. 5. Eschatological Reward Thrones (Matthew 19:28), eternal life (Mark 10:30), and rest (Revelation 14:13) await the followers who endure. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Preaching and teaching must present the call to follow Christ as decisive and comprehensive, not merely optional or partial. Summary Strong’s 190 encapsulates the heartbeat of New Testament discipleship: hearing Christ’s summons, relinquishing former loyalties, staying in step with the Master, and arriving with Him in glory. The verb traces a line from Galilean shores to the New Jerusalem, inviting every generation to take its place in the long procession after the Lamb. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:20 V-AIA-3PGRK: τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ NAS: they left their nets and followed Him. KJV: left [their] nets, and followed him. INT: the nets they followed him Matthew 4:22 V-AIA-3P Matthew 4:25 V-AIA-3P Matthew 8:1 V-AIA-3P Matthew 8:10 V-PPA-DMP Matthew 8:19 V-FIA-1S Matthew 8:22 V-PMA-2S Matthew 8:23 V-AIA-3P Matthew 9:9 V-PMA-2S Matthew 9:9 V-AIA-3S Matthew 9:19 V-IIA-3S Matthew 9:27 V-AIA-3P Matthew 10:38 V-PIA-3S Matthew 12:15 V-AIA-3P Matthew 14:13 V-AIA-3P Matthew 16:24 V-PMA-3S Matthew 19:2 V-AIA-3P Matthew 19:21 V-PMA-2S Matthew 19:27 V-AIA-1P Matthew 19:28 V-APA-NMP Matthew 20:29 V-AIA-3S Matthew 20:34 V-AIA-3P Matthew 21:9 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 26:58 V-IIA-3S Matthew 27:55 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 190 |
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