Lexical Summary keleuó: To command, to order, to direct Original Word: κελεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance order, commandFrom a primary kello (to urge on); "hail"; to incite by word, i.e. Order -- bid, (at, give) command(-ment). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kelomai (to urge on) Definition to command NASB Translation command (2), commanded (4), gave orders (2), give orders (1), giving orders (1), order (2), ordered (12), ordering (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2753: κελεύωκελεύω; imperfect ἐκέλευον; 1 aorist ἐκέλευσα; to command, order: τινα, followed by an aorist infinitive, Matthew 14:19, 28; Acts 4:15; by the accusative with aorist infinitive, Matthew 18:25; Matthew 27:58 (R G L),64; Luke 18:40; Acts 5:34; Acts 8:38; Acts 22:30; Acts 23:10; Acts 25:6, 17; the accusative is lacking because evident from the context, Matthew 8:18; Matthew 14:9; (xxvii. 58 T WH (Tr in brackets)); Acts 12:19; Acts 21:33; followed by the accusative with present infinitive, Acts 21:34; Acts 22:24; Acts 23:3, 35; Acts 24:8 R G; Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope of the VerbThe verb carries the idea of issuing an authoritative directive—an order that expects immediate compliance. Its speakers range from Roman magistrates and military officers to the Lord Jesus Himself. The contexts reveal an authority structure that is both earthly (civil, military, domestic) and heavenly (Messiah’s kingly rule), demonstrating Scripture’s unified testimony that all legitimate authority is derived from God and must reflect His justice and mercy. Old Testament and Jewish Background In the Septuagint this verb commonly translates Hebrew terms for “command” (for example, ṣāvâ), especially in royal or military settings. That background prepares the reader of the New Testament to hear an echo of covenant authority every time the verb appears, linking obedience to the command with blessing or judgment. Occurrences in the Gospels 1. Jesus and the crowds 2. Jesus and the miraculous meal 3. Requests directed to Jesus 4. Regal and judicial settings Dominant Themes in Acts 1. Apostolic ministry under command 2. Roman military and judicial use 3. Appeals to higher authority Theological Reflections on Authority and Obedience 1. Divine versus human command Only God’s commands carry absolute authority. Human commands are legitimate when they align with truth (Romans 13:1-4) but may be resisted when they oppose God (Acts 5:29). The narrative tension in Acts repeatedly contrasts unjust orders with the higher mandate of gospel proclamation. 2. Christ’s kingly prerogative When Jesus commands creation, demons, disease, or disciples, His words reveal messianic sovereignty. Matthew’s portrait culminates in the Great Commission (using a different Greek verb) where all authority in heaven and on earth is His. The occurrences of 2753 in the Gospels prepare the reader for that climactic claim. 3. Discipleship and responsive faith Peter’s request in Matthew 14:28 and the Ethiopian’s baptism in Acts 8:38 show that faith eagerly seeks the Lord’s directive and obeys without delay. Obedience is not merely compliance but a trust-filled alignment with God’s will. Historical Insights Roman procedure relied heavily on verbal or written commands (at times delivered through soldier-messengers). Luke, a meticulous historian, selects 2753 to mirror that administrative precision. Knowing this helps modern readers appreciate the legal texture of Acts and the credibility it lends to Luke’s account. Ministry Implications Today • Spiritual leaders must issue directives only under Christ’s lordship, mirroring His servant-heart rather than Herod’s tyranny. Representative Passages Matthew 14:19 “And He directed the people to sit down on the grass.” Acts 8:38 “And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” Acts 22:24 “The commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks and flogged and interrogated, to determine why the people were shouting against him like this.” Acts 27:43 “But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul, prevented them from carrying out their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.” Conclusion Across its twenty-six New Testament appearances, the verb spotlights the dynamics of authority—sometimes benevolent, often corrupt, always subordinate to the sovereign purposes of God. From Galilee’s shores to Rome’s courts, every command unfolds within the larger narrative of redemption, urging readers to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ and walk as obedient servants of the King. Forms and Transliterations εκελευον εκέλευον ἐκέλευον εκελευσα εκέλευσα ἐκέλευσα εκέλευσε εκέλευσέ εκελευσεν εκέλευσεν ἐκέλευσεν ἐκέλευσέν κελευεις κελεύεις κελευσαντες κελεύσαντες κελευσαντος κελεύσαντος κελευσας κελεύσας κελευσον κέλευσον κέλευσόν ekeleuon ekéleuon ekeleusa ekéleusa ekeleusen ekéleusen ekéleusén keleueis keleúeis keleusantes keleúsantes keleusantos keleúsantos keleusas keleúsas keleuson kéleuson kéleusónLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 8:18 V-AIA-3SGRK: περὶ αὐτὸν ἐκέλευσεν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς NAS: around Him, He gave orders to depart KJV: him, he gave commandment to depart INT: around him he commanded to depart to Matthew 14:9 V-AIA-3S Matthew 14:19 V-APA-NMS Matthew 14:28 V-AMA-2S Matthew 18:25 V-AIA-3S Matthew 27:58 V-AIA-3S Matthew 27:64 V-AMA-2S Luke 18:40 V-AIA-3S Acts 4:15 V-APA-NMP Acts 5:34 V-AIA-3S Acts 8:38 V-AIA-3S Acts 12:19 V-AIA-3S Acts 16:22 V-IIA-3P Acts 21:33 V-AIA-3S Acts 21:34 V-AIA-3S Acts 22:24 V-AIA-3S Acts 22:30 V-AIA-3S Acts 23:3 V-PIA-2S Acts 23:10 V-AIA-3S Acts 23:35 V-APA-NMS Acts 24:8 V-APA-NMS Acts 25:6 V-AIA-3S Acts 25:17 V-AIA-1S Acts 25:21 V-AIA-1S Acts 25:23 V-APA-GMS Strong's Greek 2753 |
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