Lexical Summary noeó: To perceive, to understand, to think, to consider Original Word: νοέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consider, perceive, think, understand. From nous; to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed -- consider, perceive, think, understand. see GREEK nous HELPS Word-studies 3539 noiéō (from 3563 /noús, "mind") – properly, to apply mental effort needed to reach "bottom-line" conclusions. 3539 (noiéō) underlines the moral culpability we all have before God – for every decision (value-judgment) we make. This follows from each of us being created in the divine image – hence, possessing the inherent capacity by the Lord to exercise moral reasoning. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nous Definition to perceive, think NASB Translation consider (1), perceive (1), see (1), think (1), understand (9), understood (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3539: νοέωνοέω, νόω; 1 aorist ἐνόησα; (present passive participle (neuter plural) νωυμενα); (νοῦς); from Homer down; the Sept. for הַבִין and הִתְבּונֵן, and for הִשְׂכִּיל; 1. to perceive with the mind, to understand: absolutely, with the addition τῇ καρδία, John 12:40 (Isaiah 44:18); with an accusative of the thing, Ephesians 3:4, 20; 1 Timothy 1:7; passive: Romans 1:20; followed by ὅτι, Matthew 15:17; Matthew 16:11; Mark 7:18; followed by an accusative with an infinitive, Hebrews 11:3; the absolute equivalent to to have understanding: Matthew 16:9; Mark 8:17. 2. to think upon, heed, ponder, consider: ὀείτω, namely, let him attend to the events that occur, which will show the time to flee, Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; (similarly νόει ὁ (R G ἅ) λέγω, 2 Timothy 2:7). (Compare: εὐνοέω, κατανοέω, μετανοέω, προνοέω, ὑπονοέω.) Strong’s 3539 centers on an inner act of thoughtful perception—grasping, considering, or discerning truth. It is not a shallow mental glance but an engaged, morally responsible apprehension that moves the heart and will. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint the same verb frequently renders Hebrew terms for “consider” or “understand” (for example, Deuteronomy 32:29; Isaiah 6:10). This establishes a link between genuine understanding and covenant obedience: to perceive is to answer God with faithfulness. Usage in the Gospels Jesus employs the term repeatedly to expose the dullness of His disciples (Matthew 15:17; 16:9, 11; Mark 7:18; 8:17). Their inability “to understand” shows how spiritual insight is hindered by hardened hearts, even in those who walk with the Lord. John 12:40 quotes Isaiah: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” Here the verb underscores judicial blindness in the face of clear revelation. The exhortation “let the reader understand” attached to Jesus’ eschatological warning (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) makes comprehension a life-and-death matter. Spiritual alertness—not mere curiosity—prepares believers to act decisively when prophetic events unfold. Pauline Development Paul moves the word from the arena of dullness to the realm of revelation. Hebrews and the Theology of Faith Hebrews 11:3 locates understanding within faith itself: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed by God’s command.” The mind apprehends ultimate reality only when faith receives God’s Word as foundational fact. Relation to Spiritual Blindness and Enlightenment Across Scripture, failure to perceive is traced neither to intellectual deficiency nor to lack of data but to moral and spiritual resistance. Conversely, true perception is a gift bound to divine illumination (Luke 24:45; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16). The verb therefore stands at the intersection of revelation and responsibility. Eschatological Alertness The command to “understand” prophetic signs (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) preserves believers from deception and panic. Insight fuels practical obedience—flight from danger, perseverance in trial, and confident hope in Christ’s return. Pastoral Implications • Preaching must aim beyond information, seeking Spirit-wrought comprehension. Doctrinal Significance Strong’s 3539 affirms the harmony of faith and reason. The biblical mind is neither anti-intellectual nor autonomous; it is regenerated, Spirit-taught, and joyfully submissive to divine truth. To “understand” in the New Testament sense is to enter the orbit of God’s redemptive purpose, perceiving reality as it truly is and living accordingly. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:17 V-PIA-2PGRK: οὐ νοεῖτε ὅτι πᾶν NAS: Do you not understand that everything KJV: ye yet understand, that whatsoever INT: not yet understand you that everything Matthew 16:9 V-PIA-2P Matthew 16:11 V-PIA-2P Matthew 24:15 V-PMA-3S Mark 7:18 V-PIA-2P Mark 8:17 V-PIA-2P Mark 13:14 V-PMA-3S John 12:40 V-ASA-3P Romans 1:20 V-PPM/P-NNP Ephesians 3:4 V-ANA Ephesians 3:20 V-PIA-1P 1 Timothy 1:7 V-PPA-NMP 2 Timothy 2:7 V-PMA-2S Hebrews 11:3 V-PIA-1P Strong's Greek 3539 |
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