321. anagó

Lexical Summary

anagó: To lead up, to bring up, to set sail

Original Word: ἀνάγω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anagó
Pronunciation: ä-nä'-gō
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ag'-o)
KJV: bring (again, forth, up again), depart, launch (forth), lead (up), loose, offer, sail, set forth, take up
NASB: set sail, brought, put out to sea, bring, led, launched, putting out to sea
Word Origin: [from G303 (ἀνά - each) and G71 (ἄγω - brought)]

1. to lead up
2. (by extension) to bring out
3. (specially) to sail away

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bring forth, depart, set forth, take up.

From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away -- bring (again, forth, up again), depart, launch (forth), lead (up), loose, offer, sail, set forth, take up.

see GREEK ana

see GREEK ago

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ana and agó
Definition
to lead up, bring up
NASB Translation
bring (2), brought (5), launched (1), led (2), put out to sea (4), putting out to sea (1), set sail (7), setting sail (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 321: ἀνάγω

ἀνάγω: 2 aorist ἀνήγαγον, infinitive ἀναγαγεῖν (participle ἀναγαγών); passive (present ἀνάγομαι); 1 aorist (cf. under the end) ἀνήχθην; (from Homer down); to lead up, to lead or bring into a higher place; followed by εἰς with accusative of the place: Luke 2:22; Luke 4:5 (T Tr WH omit; L brackets the clause); (T Tr WH ἀπήγαγον); Acts 9:39; Acts 16:34; Matthew 4:1 (εἰς τήν ἔρημον, namely, from the low bank of the Jordan). τινα ἐκ νεκρῶν from the dead in the world below, to the upper world, Hebrews 13:20; Romans 10:7; τινα τῷ λαῷ to bring one forth who has been detained in prison (a lower place), and set him before the people to be tried, Acts 12:4; θυσίαν, τῷ εἰδώλῳ to offer sacrifice to the idol, because the victim is lifted up on the altar, Acts 7:41. Navigators are κατ' ἐξοχήν said ἀνάγεσθαι (passive (or middle)) when they launch out, set sail, put to sea (so ἀναγωγή in Justin Martyr, dialog contra Trypho,

c. 142 (and in the classics)): Luke 8:22; Acts 13:13; Acts 16:11; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:3, 13; 21:(), ; . (Polybius 1, 21, 4; 23, 3, etc.) (Compare: ἐπανάγω.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek number 321 portrays purposeful upward or forward movement, whether the launching of a vessel, the leading of a person to a higher place, or the bringing up of someone from confinement or death. Across Scripture the term consistently serves salvation-history by portraying God’s initiative in moving His people, His servants and His Son toward the fulfillment of divine purpose.

Seafaring and Missionary Journeys

In Acts the word becomes technical language for putting a ship to sea. Luke chooses it for nearly every stage of Paul’s voyages (Acts 13:13; 16:11; 20:13; 21:2; 27:2,4,12,21; 28:10,11), reinforcing the missionary momentum of the early Church. Each time the gospel literally “sets sail,” the same verb reminds the reader that mission is an intentional launching under God’s providence. Acts 16:11: “Setting sail from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis.” The Spirit’s call (Acts 16:10) is immediately matched by movement; theology and travel intertwine.

Elevation to High Places

The term also describes being carried to an elevated physical location. The Spirit “led” Jesus up into the wilderness for testing (Matthew 4:1), and the devil “led Him up” to a high mountain to display the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5). By using the same verb the Evangelists contrast holy guidance with satanic manipulation while underscoring Christ’s obedience in every circumstance. Likewise, Luke 8:22 notes that Jesus and the disciples “set out” across the lake—again signaling deliberate movement initiated by the Lord.

Deliverance and Resurrection

When the focus shifts from geography to soteriology the verb still communicates upward motion. Romans 10:7 asks, “Who will descend into the Abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” Hebrews 13:20 blesses “the God of peace, who… brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus.” Here the resurrection is portrayed as an upward deliverance accomplished by the Father. The same word describes Peter’s intended public display after imprisonment (Acts 12:4) and the bringing of Dorcas’ mourners to the upper room (Acts 9:39), hinting at reversal of despair through divine intervention.

Guided Movement by Divine Agency

Whether the agent is God (Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 13:20), human leadership (Acts 9:39), or the Church in mission (Acts 20:13), the action is never random. Luke repeatedly marks the difference between mere travel and God-directed advance. Even storms cannot override divine purpose; although Paul’s crew reluctantly “were forbidden to set sail” (Acts 27:21), God’s plan still reaches Rome (Acts 28:11).

Christological Focus

The resurrection texts reveal the ultimate “bringing up” that secures redemption. Because the Father raised Jesus, believers may trust Him to “bring” them safely into His presence (cf. Romans 10:9, contextually linked with 10:7). The same verb that records ships leaving harbor now proclaims the Savior leaving the grave.

Ecclesiological and Pastoral Applications

1. Missionary resolve: congregations are called to “set sail” in obedience, confident that God directs the journey.
2. Spiritual warfare: believers, like Christ, may be “led up” to testing yet remain under the Spirit’s oversight.
3. Hope in bereavement: the God who “brought back” the Shepherd guarantees future resurrection for the flock (Hebrews 13:20-21).
4. Leadership: pastors emulate Paul by guiding others to launch into new fields, trusting God for safe harbor.

Historical Context

First-century readers, familiar with Mediterranean commerce, would sense the risk and faith bound to every voyage. Luke’s nautical precision grounds theology in everyday experience: raising anchor, catching wind, braving storms. Likewise, Roman judicial procedure (Acts 12:4) and Hellenistic burial customs (Acts 9:39) frame the word in concrete settings, making the upward movement of God’s salvation palpable.

Reflection for Contemporary Discipleship

Every occurrence of Strong’s 321 reminds modern readers that Christian life is neither static nor aimless. The Lord leads upward—sometimes into wilderness testing, often across uncharted waters, ultimately out of death itself. Emboldened by that pattern, believers can launch obediently, endure trials faithfully, and anticipate the final “bringing up” when Christ returns.

Forms and Transliterations

ανάγαγε ανάγαγέ αναγαγειν αναγαγείν αναγάγειν ἀναγαγεῖν αναγάγετε αναγάγης αναγαγόντες αναγαγόντι αναγάγω αναγαγων αναγαγών ἀναγαγών ἀναγαγὼν ανάγει αναγεσθαι ανάγεσθαι ἀνάγεσθαι αναγομενοις αναγομένοις ἀναγομένοις ανάγον ανάγοντες αναγόντων ανάγουσα ανάγουσι ανάγω ανάγων ανάξει ανάξω Αναχθεντες αναχθέντες Ἀναχθέντες αναχθηναι αναχθήναι ἀναχθῆναι ανήγαγε ανήγαγέ ανήγαγεν ανήγαγες ανήγαγές ανηγάγετε ανηγαγον ανήγαγον ανήγαγόν ἀνήγαγον ανήγγειλαν ανηχθη ανήχθη ἀνήχθη ανηχθημεν ανήχθημεν ἀνήχθημεν ανηχθησαν ανήχθησαν ἀνήχθησαν anachthenai anachthênai anachthēnai anachthē̂nai Anachthentes Anachthéntes anagagein anagageîn anagagon anagagōn anagagṓn anagagṑn anagesthai anágesthai anagomenois anagoménois anechthe anēchthē anḗchthe anḗchthē anechthemen anēchthēmen anḗchthemen anḗchthēmen anechthesan anēchthēsan anḗchthesan anḗchthēsan anegagon anēgagon anḗgagon

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 4:1 V-AIP-3S
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνήχθη εἰς τὴν
NAS: Jesus was led up by the Spirit
KJV: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit
INT: Jesus was led up into the

Luke 2:22 V-AIA-3P
GRK: νόμον Μωυσέως ἀνήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς
NAS: were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem
KJV: were accomplished, they brought him
INT: law of Moses they brought him to

Luke 4:5 V-APA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ ἀναγαγὼν αὐτὸν ὁ
NAS: And he led Him up and showed Him all
KJV: taking him up into an high
INT: And having led up him the

Luke 8:22 V-AIP-3P
GRK: λίμνης καὶ ἀνήχθησαν
NAS: of the lake. So they launched out.
KJV: of the lake. And they launched forth.
INT: lake and they put off

Acts 7:41 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἐκείναις καὶ ἀνήγαγον θυσίαν τῷ
NAS: they made a calf and brought a sacrifice
KJV: and offered sacrifice
INT: those and offered sacrifice to the

Acts 9:39 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ
NAS: with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room;
KJV: was come, they brought him into
INT: whom having arrived they brought into the

Acts 12:4 V-ANA
GRK: τὸ πάσχα ἀναγαγεῖν αὐτὸν τῷ
NAS: the Passover to bring him out before the people.
KJV: to bring him forth to the people.
INT: the passover to bring out him to the

Acts 13:13 V-APP-NMP
GRK: Ἀναχθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ
NAS: and his companions put out to sea from Paphos
KJV: and his company loosed from
INT: having sailed from moreover from

Acts 16:11 V-APP-NMP
GRK: Ἀναχθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ
NAS: So putting out to sea from Troas,
KJV: Therefore loosing from Troas,
INT: Having sailed therefore from

Acts 16:34 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ἀναγαγών τε αὐτοὺς
NAS: And he brought them into his house
KJV: And when he had brought them into
INT: having brought moreover them

Acts 18:21 V-AIP-3S
GRK: θεοῦ θέλοντος ἀνήχθη ἀπὸ τῆς
NAS: wills, he set sail from Ephesus.
KJV: will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
INT: God willing he sailed from

Acts 20:3 V-PNM/P
GRK: Ἰουδαίων μέλλοντι ἀνάγεσθαι εἰς τὴν
NAS: as he was about to set sail for Syria,
KJV: as he was about to sail into
INT: Jews being about to sail into

Acts 20:13 V-AIP-1P
GRK: τὸ πλοῖον ἀνήχθημεν ἐπὶ τὴν
NAS: to the ship, set sail for Assos,
KJV: to ship, and sailed unto Assos,
INT: the boat sailed to

Acts 21:1 V-ANP
GRK: δὲ ἐγένετο ἀναχθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀποσπασθέντας
NAS: we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course
KJV: them, and had launched, we came
INT: moreover it was sailed we having drawn away

Acts 21:2 V-AIP-1P
GRK: Φοινίκην ἐπιβάντες ἀνήχθημεν
NAS: we went aboard and set sail.
KJV: we went aboard, and set forth.
INT: Phoenicia having gone on board we sailed

Acts 27:2 V-AIP-1P
GRK: Ἀσίαν τόπους ἀνήχθημεν ὄντος σὺν
NAS: of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied
KJV: of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning
INT: Asia places we set sail being with

Acts 27:4 V-APP-NMP
GRK: κἀκεῖθεν ἀναχθέντες ὑπεπλεύσαμεν τὴν
NAS: From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter
KJV: And when we had launched from thence,
INT: And from there having set sail we sailed under

Acts 27:12 V-ANP
GRK: ἔθεντο βουλὴν ἀναχθῆναι ἐκεῖθεν εἴ
NAS: a decision to put out to sea from there,
KJV: advised to depart thence also,
INT: reached a decision to set sail from there also if

Acts 27:21 V-PNM/P
GRK: μοι μὴ ἀνάγεσθαι ἀπὸ τῆς
NAS: to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete
KJV: and not have loosed from
INT: to me not to have set sail from

Acts 28:10 V-PPM/P-DMP
GRK: ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀναγομένοις ἐπέθεντο τὰ
NAS: marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied
KJV: and when we departed, they laded
INT: us and on setting sail they laid on [us] the things

Acts 28:11 V-AIP-1P
GRK: τρεῖς μῆνας ἀνήχθημεν ἐν πλοίῳ
NAS: months we set sail on an Alexandrian
KJV: three months we departed in a ship
INT: three months we sailed in a ship

Romans 10:7 V-ANA
GRK: ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναγαγεῖν
NAS: INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ
KJV: Christ again from
INT: from among [the] dead to bring up

Hebrews 13:20 V-APA-NMS
GRK: εἰρήνης ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν
NAS: of peace, who brought up from the dead
KJV: of peace, that brought again from
INT: of peace having brought again from among [the] dead

Strong's Greek 321
23 Occurrences

ἀναχθῆναι — 2 Occ.
Ἀναχθέντες — 3 Occ.
ἀναγαγεῖν — 2 Occ.
ἀναγαγὼν — 3 Occ.
ἀνάγεσθαι — 2 Occ.
ἀναγομένοις — 1 Occ.
ἀνήχθη — 2 Occ.
ἀνήχθημεν — 4 Occ.
ἀνήχθησαν — 1 Occ.
ἀνήγαγον — 3 Occ.