Lexical Summary epitassó: To command, to order, to charge Original Word: ἐπιτάσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance charge, command From epi and tasso; to arrange upon, i.e. Order -- charge, command, injoin. see GREEK epi see GREEK tasso HELPS Word-studies 2004 epitássō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting," which intensifies 5021 /tássō, "to place, arrange") – properly, to command which appropriately "orders" things, i.e. assigns them where they belong so the parts "fit together." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and tassó Definition to arrange upon, i.e. to command NASB Translation command (2), commanded (4), commands (3), order (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2004: ἐπιτάσσωἐπιτάσσω; 1 aorist ἐπέταξα; (τάσσω); to enjoin upon, order, command, charge: absolutely, Luke 14:22; τίνι, Mark 1:27; Mark 9:25; Luke 4:36; Luke 8:25; τίνι τό ἀνῆκον, Philemon 1:8; τίνι followed by the infinitive, Mark 6:39; Luke 8:31; Acts 23:2; followed by an accusative and infinitive Mark 6:27; followed by direct discourse, Mark 9:25. (Several times in the Sept.; Greek writings from Herodotus down.) (Synonym: see κελεύω, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2004 pictures an assertive, authoritative word for issuing a directive that is to be carried out without delay or discussion. Ten New Testament occurrences span royal courts, household service, military justice, apostolic ministry, and the very voice of the incarnate Son of God. Together they frame a theology of command that is rooted in divine prerogative, mediated through legitimate human structures, and expressed by Christ’s disciples in humility and love. Jesus’ Sovereign Commands over the Spiritual Realm At the outset of His public ministry Jesus is twice reported as “commanding” unclean spirits (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:36). The crowds marvel: “With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:36). The term underscores a categorical, royal order that no demon can resist. In Mark 9:25 the same verb marks the decisive expulsion of a deaf‐mute spirit: “I command you to come out and never enter him again.” Luke 8:31 shows the reverse side as the demonic host “kept begging Jesus not to order them to go into the abyss.” Even hell’s forces acknowledge that one word of Christ seals their destiny. Command over Creation When wind and waves threaten the disciples, Luke records their astonished question: “Who is this? He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:25). The miracle mirrors Genesis language in which God brings order to chaos by decree. Here the incarnate Word repeats that commanding voice, demonstrating that the natural world is as subject to His order as the supernatural. Directives within Christ’s Earthly Ministry Not every use occurs in overtly miraculous settings. Jesus “directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass” before He multiplied the loaves (Mark 6:39). The same authoritative clarity that stills storms organizes a picnic for five thousand, teaching that divine command embraces ordinary logistics as well as spectacular wonders. In Luke 14:22 the servant reports, “‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’” The parable illustrates the urgency of gospel invitation; the master’s command compels mission until the house is full. Royal and Judicial Commands Mark 6:27 shows earthly power in darker colors: “So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head.” Herod’s wrongful order contrasts with Christ’s righteous commands, reminding readers that human authority may be abused even while retaining real, if limited, power. Acts 23:2 places the verb in a courtroom: “At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.” Scripture records the event without endorsing it, setting a backdrop for Paul’s teaching on enduring unjust authority. Apostolic Restraint and Servant Leadership Paul’s letter to Philemon contains a rare first‐person use: “Although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper” (Philemon 1:8). The apostle consciously withholds the command in favor of loving appeal, modeling Christlike leadership that seeks voluntary obedience rather than coercion. The same principle governs pastoral oversight today: authority is real yet tempered by love. Historical and Cultural Setting Classical sources employ the verb in military dispatches and administrative edicts. Roman centurions “ordered” troop movements; imperial rescripts “ordered” provincial policies. The New Testament writers tap into this milieu, assuring first‐century readers that Jesus speaks with an authority greater than Caesar’s and that the church’s mission proceeds under orders from the King of kings. Theological Significance 1. Christ’s commands unveil His divine identity, for only the Creator can order creation and the demonic realm. Practical Application • Obedience to Christ’s commands is the hallmark of discipleship (John 15:14). Thus Strong’s Greek 2004 threads through Scripture as a witness to the rightful rule of God—unquestioned by demons, creation, or death itself—and as a guide for godly exercise of delegated authority within the household of faith. Forms and Transliterations επετάγη επεταξας επέταξας ἐπέταξας επέταξε επεταξεν επέταξεν ἐπέταξεν επιτάξαντος επιταξη επιτάξη ἐπιτάξῃ επιτάξης επιτασσει επιτάσσει ἐπιτάσσει επιτασσειν επιτάσσειν ἐπιτάσσειν επιτασσω ἐπιτάσσω επιτάσσων epetaxas epétaxas epetaxen epétaxen epitassei epitássei epitassein epitássein epitasso epitassō epitásso epitássō epitaxe epitaxē epitáxei epitáxēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 1:27 V-PIA-3SGRK: τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις ἐπιτάσσει καὶ ὑπακούουσιν NAS: with authority! He commands even KJV: authority commandeth he even INT: unclean he commands and they obey Mark 6:27 V-AIA-3S Mark 6:39 V-AIA-3S Mark 9:25 V-PIA-1S Luke 4:36 V-PIA-3S Luke 8:25 V-PIA-3S Luke 8:31 V-ASA-3S Luke 14:22 V-AIA-2S Acts 23:2 V-AIA-3S Philemon 1:8 V-PNA Strong's Greek 2004 |
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