Lexical Summary theaomai: To behold, to look upon, to view attentively, to contemplate Original Word: θεάομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance behold, look upon, see. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit -- behold, look (upon), see. Compare optanomai. see GREEK optanomai HELPS Word-studies 2300 theáomai (from tháomai, "to gaze at a spectacle") – properly, gaze on (contemplate) as a spectator; to observe intently, especially to interpret something (grasp its significance); to see (concentrate on) so as to significantly impact (influence) the viewer. [2300 (theáomai) is the root of 2302 /théatron ("spectacle in a theatre"), the root of the English term, "theatre."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition to behold, look upon NASB Translation look (1), look over (1), looked (1), noticed (3), saw (5), see (3), seeing (2), seen (5), watched (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2300: θεάομαιθεάομαι, θεωμαι: 1 aorist ἐθεασάμην; perfect τεθέαμαι; 1 aorist passive ἐθεαθην in passive sense (Matthew 6:1; Matthew 23:5; Mark 16:11; Thucydides 3, 38, 3; cf. Krüger, § 40, under the word; (but Krüger himself now reads δρασθεν in Thucydides, the passage cited; see Veitch, under the word; Winers Grammar, § 38, 7 c.; Buttmann, 52 (46))); deponent verb; (from θεά, ΘΑΟΜΑΙ, with which θαῦμα is connected, which see); to behold, look upon, view attentively, contemplate, (in Greek writings often used of public shows; cf. θεά, θέαμα, θέατρον, θεατρίζω, etc. (see below)): τί, Matthew 11:7; Luke 7:24; John 4:35; John 11:45; of august things and persons that are looked on with admiration: τί, John 1:14, 32; 1 John 1:1; Acts 22:9 (2 Macc. 3:36); τινα, with a participle, Mark 16:14: Acts 1:11; followed by ὅτι, 1 John 4:14; θεαθῆναι ὑπό τίνος, Mark 16:11; πρός τό θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς, in order to make a show to them, Matthew 6:1; Matthew 23:5; to view, take a view of: τί, Luke 23:55; τινα, Matthew 22:11; in the sense of visiting, meeting with a person, Romans 15:24 (2 Chronicles 22:6; Josephus, Antiquities 16, 1, 2); to learn by looking: followed by ὅτι, Acts 8:18 Rec.; to see with the eyes, 1 John 4:12; equivalent to (Latinconspicio) to perceive: τινα, John 8:10 R G; Acts 21:27; followed by an accusative with participle, Luke 5:27 (not L marginal reading); John 1:38; followed by ὅτι, John 6:5. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuances The verb describes deliberate, contemplative viewing—more intent than a casual glance, yet still dealing with literal sight. Used narratively, it marks decisive recognition; in doctrinal settings it undergirds eyewitness authority. Witness to the Incarnation John 1:14: “We have seen His glory” (ἐθεασάμεθα). 1 John 1:1 echoes that claim. The apostolic “seeing” certifies that the eternal Word truly took flesh; revelation is anchored in historical observation, not private vision. Eyewitness Ground of Christian Testimony John 1:32; 1 John 4:12–14; Acts 22:9; Acts 21:27. Whether watching the Spirit descend, noting miracles, or describing Paul’s Damascus-road companions, the writers insist their message rests on things actually viewed. “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son” (1 John 4:14). Resurrection and Ascension Assurance Mark 16:11, 16:14; Acts 1:11. The same verb records the appearances that confirmed Jesus alive and the ascension that guarantees His return: “This same Jesus… will come back in the same way you have seen Him go” (Acts 1:11). Transforming Encounters in Jesus’ Ministry Luke 5:27—Jesus “saw a tax collector named Levi.” The deliberate gaze precedes the call. Luke 23:55—women “saw the tomb”; John 11:45—“many of the Jews… having seen what He had done, believed.” The observed works compel faith. From Spiritual Insight to Mere Spectacle Matthew 6:1; 23:5. The same verb can denote vanity: deeds done “to be seen by men.” The gospel calls believers from craving human attention to seeking the Father’s invisible reward. Pastoral Fellowship and Mission Romans 15:24: Paul hopes “to see” the Roman church, anticipating purposeful fellowship that will advance the gospel. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching should so present Christ that hearers behold His glory through the Word. Summary Strong’s 2300 highlights purposeful sight that validates the Incarnation, Resurrection, and apostolic witness, warns against hollow showmanship, and models a seeing that leads to saving faith and faithful ministry. Forms and Transliterations εθεαθη εθεάθη ἐθεάθη εθεασαμεθα εθεασάμεθα ἐθεασάμεθα εθεασαντο εθεάσαντο ἐθεάσαντο εθεασασθε εθεάσασθε ἐθεάσασθε εθεασατο εθεάσατο ἐθεάσατο θεαθηναι θεαθήναι θεαθῆναι θεασαμενοι θεασάμενοι θεασαμενοις θεασαμένοις θεασαμενος θεασάμενος θεασασθαι θεάσασθαι θεασασθε θεάσασθε θεασσαμένοις Τεθεαμαι Τεθέαμαι τεθεαμεθα τεθεάμεθα τεθεαται τεθέαται etheasametha etheasámetha etheasanto etheásanto etheasasthe etheásasthe etheasato etheásato etheathe etheathē etheáthe etheáthē Tetheamai Tethéamai tetheametha tetheámetha tetheatai tethéatai theasamenoi theasámenoi theasamenois theasaménois theasamenos theasámenos theasasthai theásasthai theasasthe theásasthe theathenai theathênai theathēnai theathē̂naiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:1 V-ANPGRK: πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς εἰ NAS: men to be noticed by them; otherwise INT: in order to be seen by them if Matthew 11:7 V-ANM Matthew 22:11 V-ANM Matthew 23:5 V-ANP Mark 16:11 V-AIP-3S Mark 16:14 V-APM-DMP Luke 5:27 V-AIM-3S Luke 7:24 V-ANM Luke 23:55 V-AIM-3P John 1:14 V-AIM-1P John 1:32 V-RIM/P-1S John 1:38 V-APM-NMS John 4:35 V-AMM-2P John 6:5 V-APM-NMS John 8:10 V-APM-AMS John 11:45 V-APM-NMP Acts 1:11 V-AIM-2P Acts 21:27 V-APM-NMP Acts 22:9 V-AIM-3P Romans 15:24 V-ANM 1 John 1:1 V-AIM-1P 1 John 4:12 V-RIM/P-3S 1 John 4:14 V-RIM/P-1P Strong's Greek 2300 |
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