402. anachóreó

Lexical Summary

anachóreó: To withdraw, to depart, to go away

Original Word: ἀναχωρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anachóreó
Pronunciation: an-akh-or-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (an-akh-o-reh'-o)
KJV: depart, give place, go (turn) aside, withdraw self
NASB: withdrew, left, departed, gone, gone aside, leave, stepping aside
Word Origin: [from G303 (ἀνά - each) and G5562 (χωρέω - accept)]

1. to depart

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

depart, turn aside, withdraw.

From ana and choreo; to retire -- depart, give place, go (turn) aside, withdraw self.

see GREEK ana

see GREEK choreo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ana and chóreó
Definition
to go back, withdraw
NASB Translation
departed (1), gone (1), gone aside (1), leave (1), left (3), stepping aside (1), withdrew (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 402: ἀναχωρέω

ἀναχωρέω, ἀναχόρω; 1 aorist ἀνεχώρησα; (frequent in Greek writings);

1. to go back, return: Matthew 2:12f (others refer this to next entry).

2. to withdraw;

a. universally, so as to leave room: Matthew 9:24.

b. of those who through fear seek some other place, or shun sight: Matthew 2:14, 22; Matthew 4:12; Matthew 12:15; Matthew 14:13; Matthew 15:21; Matthew 27:5; Mark 3:7; John 6:15 (Tdf. φεύγει); Acts 23:19 (κατ' ἰδίαν); Acts 26:31.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

ἀναχωρέω appears fourteen times in the Greek New Testament and consistently describes a purposeful withdrawal—sometimes physical, sometimes strategic, always decisive. Whether prompted by divine warning, hostility, or the need for solitude, each occurrence unfolds within God’s sovereign direction of redemptive history.

Occurrences in Salvation History

1. Infancy Narratives (Matthew 2)
• Wise Men: “...being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their own country by another route” (Matthew 2:12).
• Joseph: Three separate withdrawals—into Egypt (2:13-14), out of Egypt (2:19-21), and to Galilee (2:22-23)—guard the Messiah from Herod and fulfill prophecy.

These scenes portray withdrawal as the divinely ordained means of preserving the promised Seed (Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 9:1-2).

2. Jesus’ Galilean Ministry
• Response to Hostility: “Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:15; cf. Matthew 4:12; Mark 3:7).
• Moment of Grief: After John’s execution, “Jesus withdrew from there by boat to a solitary place” (Matthew 14:13).
• Gentile Mission Prelude: “Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon” (Matthew 15:21), foreshadowing the gospel’s reach beyond Israel.
• Avoiding Misguided Enthusiasm: “Perceiving that they were about to come and make Him king by force, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself” (John 6:15).

In every case, withdrawal protects the timetable of redemption, preventing premature confrontation or misconceived messianic schemes while creating space for compassionate ministry and prayer.

3. Commands and Warnings
• To the Mourners: “Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep” (Matthew 9:24). The imperative form underscores Christ’s authority to clear the room for resurrection power.

4. Tragic Contrast
• Judas: “And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple, he withdrew and went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). The only destructive withdrawal in the list, highlighting the consequences of unrepentant guilt.

5. Judicial Deliberations
• Claudius Lysias: The commander “withdrew and questioned him privately” (Acts 23:19), preserving Paul’s life and advancing his Rome-bound witness.
• Agrippa and Festus: “After they had withdrawn, they began to say to one another, ‘This man is doing nothing worthy of death or imprisonment’” (Acts 26:31). Even pagan rulers, upon reflection, recognize Paul’s innocence, vindicating the gospel before imperial power.

Theological Themes

• Divine Preservation

Withdrawal safeguards God’s plan—from the infant Messiah to the apostle to the Gentiles—demonstrating providence that never fails yet often works through ordinary spatial movements.

• Timing and Mission

Jesus’ repeated withdrawals reveal a calibrated obedience to the Father’s hour (John 7:30; 12:23). Strategic retreat is not fear but fidelity to mission.

• Solitude and Prayer

Several withdrawals lead to mountains or wilderness, locales tied to prayer (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35). Ministry flows from communion with the Father.

• Mercy Amid Retreat

Even while withdrawing, Jesus heals multitudes (Matthew 12:15) and feeds them (John 6). Withdrawal for rest never negates readiness to serve.

• Separation from Unbelief

Christ’s dismissal of mourners—and ultimately His separation from Judas—illustrates the moral divide between faith and unbelief (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Practical Implications for Ministry

• Discernment to Retreat

Leaders must know when retreat preserves long-term ministry fruitfulness, avoids needless conflict, or positions them for broader impact.

• Balance of Solitude and Service

Personal withdrawal for prayer fuels public compassion; neither should eclipse the other.

• Holiness and Boundaries

Removing scoffers can create an atmosphere where faith flourishes (Matthew 9:24; Acts 9:40).

Historical and Cultural Insights

First-century Judea and Galilee were politically volatile. Retiring to a boat, mountain, or foreign district was a prudent means of travel and safety. Roman judicial protocol also included private deliberation, explaining Acts’ legal uses.

Intertextual Echoes

Jesus’ movements echo Moses’ flight from Pharaoh, David’s evasion of Saul, and Elijah’s wilderness retreat—each servant preserved for future triumph, anticipating the ultimate Deliverer.

Summary

ἀναχωρέω charts a pilgrimage of prudent withdrawal that never thwarts but consistently advances God’s saving purposes. From Bethlehem to Caesarea Maritima, each retreat threads the needle between danger and destiny, modeling wise stewardship of calling, unwavering obedience, and the quiet strength that comes from trusting the Father’s perfect timing.

Forms and Transliterations

αναχώρει αναχωρείν Αναχωρειτε αναχωρείτε Ἀναχωρεῖτε αναχωρησαντες αναχωρήσαντες ἀναχωρήσαντες Αναχωρησαντων αναχωρησάντων Ἀναχωρησάντων αναχωρησας αναχωρήσας ἀναχωρήσας αναχωρήσατε αναχωρούντες ανεχωρησαν ανεχώρησαν ἀνεχώρησαν ανεχώρησε ανεχωρησεν ανεχώρησεν ἀνεχώρησεν Anachoreite Anachoreîte Anachōreite Anachōreîte anachoresantes anachorḗsantes anachōrēsantes anachōrḗsantes Anachoresanton Anachoresánton Anachōrēsantōn Anachōrēsántōn anachoresas anachorḗsas anachōrēsas anachōrḗsas anechoresan anechōrēsan anechṓresan anechṓrēsan anechoresen anechōrēsen anechṓresen anechṓrēsen

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:12 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν
NAS: to Herod, the magi left for their own country
KJV: to Herod, they departed into their own
INT: another route they withdrew into the

Matthew 2:13 V-APA-GMP
GRK: Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν
NAS: Now when they had gone, behold,
KJV: when they were departed, behold,
INT: having withdrawn moreover they

Matthew 2:14 V-AIA-3S
GRK: νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον
NAS: while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
KJV: by night, and departed into Egypt:
INT: by night and withdrew into Egypt

Matthew 2:22 V-AIA-3S
GRK: κατ' ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ
NAS: [by God] in a dream, he left for the regions
KJV: a dream, he turned aside into
INT: in a dream he withdrew into the

Matthew 4:12 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ἰωάννης παρεδόθη ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν
NAS: had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;
KJV: was cast into prison, he departed into
INT: John had been arrested he withdrew into

Matthew 9:24 V-PMA-2P
GRK: ἔλεγεν Ἀναχωρεῖτε οὐ γὰρ
NAS: He said, Leave; for the girl
KJV: unto them, Give place: for
INT: says Go away not indeed

Matthew 12:15 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ἰησοῦς γνοὺς ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν Καὶ
NAS: aware of [this], withdrew from there.
KJV: knew [it], he withdrew himself from thence:
INT: Jesus having known withdrew from there and

Matthew 14:13 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν ἐν
NAS: heard [about John], He withdrew from there
KJV: heard [of it], he departed thence
INT: Jesus withdrew from there by

Matthew 15:21 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ
NAS: from there, and withdrew into the district
KJV: thence, and departed into
INT: Jesus withdrew to the

Matthew 27:5 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τὸν ναὸν ἀνεχώρησεν καὶ ἀπελθὼν
NAS: into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away
KJV: in the temple, and departed, and went
INT: the temple he withdrew and having gone away

Mark 3:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ ἀνεχώρησεν πρὸς τὴν
NAS: Jesus withdrew to the sea
KJV: But Jesus withdrew himself with his
INT: disciples of him withdrew to the

John 6:15 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ποιήσωσιν βασιλέα ἀνεχώρησεν πάλιν εἰς
NAS: Him king, withdrew again
KJV: him a king, he departed again into
INT: they might make king withdrew again to

Acts 23:19 V-APA-NMS
GRK: χιλίαρχος καὶ ἀναχωρήσας κατ' ἰδίαν
NAS: him by the hand and stepping aside, [began] to inquire
KJV: and went [with him] aside privately,
INT: chief captain and having withdrawn in private

Acts 26:31 V-APA-NMP
GRK: καὶ ἀναχωρήσαντες ἐλάλουν πρὸς
NAS: and when they had gone aside, they [began] talking
KJV: And when they were gone aside, they talked
INT: and having withdrawn they spoke to

Strong's Greek 402
14 Occurrences

ἀναχωρήσαντες — 1 Occ.
Ἀναχωρησάντων — 1 Occ.
ἀναχωρήσας — 1 Occ.
Ἀναχωρεῖτε — 1 Occ.
ἀνεχώρησαν — 1 Occ.
ἀνεχώρησεν — 9 Occ.