Lexical Summary kérussó: To proclaim, to preach, to herald Original Word: κηρύσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance preach, proclaim, publish. Of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) -- preacher(-er), proclaim, publish. HELPS Word-studies 2784 kērýssō – properly, to herald (proclaim); to preach (announce) a message publicly and with conviction (persuasion). 2784 /kērýssō ("to herald") refers to preaching the Gospel as the authoritative (binding) word of God, bringing eternal accountability to all who hear it. [2784 (kērýssō) is "preaching by a herald sent from God" (BAGD, "declaration," TDNT, 3:703). To "gospelize" (2097 /euaggelízō) stresses the victory of God's Gospel-message in the totality of His "good news."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition to be a herald, proclaim NASB Translation made proclamation (1), preach (16), preached (10), preacher (1), preaches (2), preaching (11), proclaim (8), proclaimed (6), proclaiming (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2784: κηρύσσωκηρύσσω; imperfect ἐκήρυσσον; future κηρύξω; 1 aorist ἐκηρυξα (infinitive κηρύξαι R G Tr WH, κηρύξαι L T; cf. Lipsius, Gramm. Untersuch., p. 32ff; Tdf. Proleg., p. 101; Winer's Grammar, § 6, 1 f. (see references under the word κῆρυξ)); passive, present κηρύσσομαι; 1 aorist ἐκηρυχθην; 1 future κηρυχθήσομαι; (κῆρυξ, which see); from Homer down; the Sept. for קָרָא; to be a herald; to officiate as herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; a. univ to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done, Mark 7:36; τόν λόγον, Mark 1:45 (here joined with διαφημίζειν); followed by indirect discourse, Mark 5:20; Luke 8:39; something which ought to be done, followed by the infinitive (cf. Winers Grammar, 322 (302); (Buttmann, § 141, 2)), Romans 2:21; Μωυσῆν, the authority and precepts of Moses, Acts 15:21; περιτομήν, the necessity of circumcision, Galatians 5:11. b. specifically used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers: absolutely, Matthew 11:1; Mark 1:38; Mark 3:14; Mark 16:20; Romans 10:15; with the dative of the person to whom the proclamation is made, 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Peter 3:19; εἰς (R ἐν with the dative) τάς συναγωγάς (see εἰς, A. I. 5 b.; cf. Winer's Grammar, 213 (200)), Mark 1:39; (Luke 4:44 T Tr text WH); (ὁ) κηρύσσων, Romans 10:14; κηρύσσειν, with the accusative of the thing, Matthew 10:27; Luke ( Strong’s Greek 2784 (kēryssō) describes the act of heralding—publicly and authoritatively announcing a message from the King of heaven. Its sixty-one New Testament appearances trace a redemptive thread: God sends heralds; the heralds proclaim His word; hearers are summoned to repent, believe, and obey. Old Testament Foreshadowing Although the verb itself is Greek, the concept echoes the Hebrew practice of royal heralds (for example, 2 Samuel 15:10) and the prophetic cry, “Prepare the way of the LORD” (Isaiah 40:3). The Septuagint frequently uses kēryssō to translate such prophetic announcements, preparing readers for the New Testament fulfillment. The Heralding Ministry of John the Baptist Matthew 3:1 records, “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” John stands as the transitional figure whose proclamation inaugurates the messianic age. His preaching centers on repentance and anticipation of the coming One (Mark 1:4, Mark 1:7). Jesus as the Supreme Herald Jesus embodies both Messenger and Message. “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’” (Matthew 4:17). Mark emphasizes His itinerant heralding: “And He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues” (Mark 1:39). His sermon in Nazareth cites Isaiah: “He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18), highlighting divine authorization and Spirit empowerment. The Apostolic Commission Before His ascension Jesus charged the Eleven, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Acts presents immediate obedience: Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:5), Saul in Damascus (Acts 9:20), Peter in Caesarea (Acts 10:42), and Paul across the Mediterranean world (Acts 20:25; Acts 28:31). Their message consistently centers on Jesus’ death, resurrection, and lordship (1 Corinthians 1:23). Geographical and Cultural Spread Kēryssō crosses boundaries: Colossians 1:23 celebrates this expansion: “This is the gospel… proclaimed to every creature under heaven.” Authority, Content, and Urgency 1 Timothy 3:16 summarizes the core: Christ “was proclaimed among the nations.” Apostolic preaching is not speculative discourse but divine announcement: “For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Urgency permeates every usage—“The gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations” (Mark 13:10). Public and Private Proclamation Heralding may be open-air (Luke 8:1), household-based (Acts 10:42), or penned for reading (Romans 10:8). Luke 12:3 shows even whispered truths destined for rooftops. The mode adjusts; the authoritative summons remains. Opposition and Suffering Proclamation provokes resistance. Paul recounts hardship while “we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Yet the mandate persists: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Eschatological and Universal Scope Matthew 24:14 anchors kēryssō in eschatology: universal proclamation precedes the end. Revelation 5:2 depicts a heavenly herald announcing the search for the worthy Redeemer, linking earthly preaching to cosmic purposes. Pastoral and Liturgical Implications Local elders, missionaries, and every believer entrusted with the gospel join this heraldic chain. Romans 10:14-15 grounds evangelism in preaching: no believing without hearing, no hearing without heralds. Pulpit ministry, evangelistic outreach, and everyday witness derive authority from this lineage. Contemporary Application The church today stands under the same royal commission. Faithfulness requires clarity (proclaiming Christ crucified and risen), courage (preaching despite opposition), and compassion (good news for the poor). As Scripture is heralded, the King speaks; hearers are summoned; eternity is at stake. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:1 V-PPA-NMSGRK: ὁ βαπτιστὴς κηρύσσων ἐν τῇ NAS: came, preaching in the wilderness KJV: the Baptist, preaching in INT: the Baptist proclaiming in the Matthew 4:17 V-PNA Matthew 4:23 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 9:35 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 10:7 V-PMA-2P Matthew 10:27 V-AMA-2P Matthew 11:1 V-PNA Matthew 24:14 V-FIP-3S Matthew 26:13 V-ASP-3S Mark 1:4 V-PPA-NMS Mark 1:7 V-IIA-3S Mark 1:14 V-PPA-NMS Mark 1:38 V-ASA-1S Mark 1:39 V-PPA-NMS Mark 1:45 V-PNA Mark 3:14 V-PNA Mark 5:20 V-PNA Mark 6:12 V-AIA-3P Mark 7:36 V-IIA-3P Mark 13:10 V-ANP Mark 14:9 V-ASP-3S Mark 16:15 V-AMA-2P Mark 16:20 V-AIA-3P Luke 3:3 V-PPA-NMS Luke 4:18 V-ANA Strong's Greek 2784 |
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