Lexical Summary planaó: To lead astray, to deceive, to cause to wander Original Word: πλανάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deceive, err, seduce, wanderFrom plane; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) -- go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way. see GREEK plane HELPS Word-studies 4105 planáō – properly, go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. [4105 (planáō) is the root of the English term, planet ("wandering body"). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming (for an exception – see Heb 11:38).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom plané Definition to cause to wander, to wander NASB Translation deceive (3), deceived (9), deceives (3), deceiving (2), go astray (1), gone astray (3), leads...astray (2), led astray (1), misguided (1), mislead (4), misleads (2), misled (1), mistaken (3), straying (2), strays (1), wandering (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4105: πλανάωπλανάω, πλανῶ; future πλανήσω; 1 aorist ἐπλάνησα; passive, present πλανωμαι; perfect πεπλάνημαι; 1 aorist ἐπλανήθην; (πλάνη); from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. for הִתְעָה; to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the rigid way; a. properly; in passive, the Sept. chiefly for תָּעָה, to go astray, wander, roam about (first so in Homer, Iliad 23, 321): Matthew 18:12; 1 Peter 2:25 (from Isaiah 53:6, cf. Exodus 23:4; Psalm 118:176 b. metaphorically, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive: τινα, Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5, 6; John 7:12; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:13a; Revelation 2:20 G L T Tr WH; Strong’s Greek 4105 is the New Testament’s principal verb for spiritual or moral deception, appearing thirty-nine times. The contexts range from pastoral concern for an erring sheep to the end-time global seduction engineered by Satan, thus forming a unified biblical theology of wandering from truth. Semantic Range and Conceptual Themes 1. Leading another into error (active). The term is morally charged: the “wandering” is never neutral but always away from God’s revealed will. Usage in the Synoptic Gospels • Matthew 18:12-13 portrays the Shepherd leaving the ninety-nine “for the one that has gone astray,” illustrating God’s rescuing heart. Johannine Writings • John 7:12, 47 shows Jewish leaders labeling Jesus as one who “leads the crowd astray,” revealing how spiritual blindness can invert truth. Pauline Admonitions Paul applies the verb to moral laxity and doctrinal compromise. In every case the antidote is truth believed and obeyed. Petrine Perspective • 1 Peter 2:25 recalls Isaiah’s shepherd imagery: “You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” General Epistles • James warns against self-deception: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers” (James 1:16) and urges rescuing the wanderer (James 5:19-20). Apocalyptic Context Revelation gathers every strand: – Present deception within the church (Revelation 2:20). – Economic-cultural seduction of Babylon (18:23). – Ultimate, worldwide deception by Satan (19:20; 20:3, 8, 10). Deliverance comes only through Christ’s final victory. Old Testament Background The Greek verb translates Hebrew roots for “wander” (תָּעָה) and “lead astray” (שָׁגָה) in the Septuagint, preserving images of scattered sheep, false prophets, and wayward hearts (for example Ezekiel 34:6; Isaiah 53:6). Theological Significance 1. Deception is a hallmark of the fallen order and of Satan’s strategy. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching and teaching must aim for doctrinal clarity to prevent error (Mark 12:24). Christ as Shepherd to the Wandering The recurring shepherd imagery (Matthew 18; 1 Peter 2) culminates in the Lamb-Shepherd of Revelation 7:17. The One accused of leading astray (John 7:47) is in fact the infallible Guide who brings His sheep safely home. Eschatological Victory The verb’s final occurrences (Revelation 20:3, 8, 10) show Satan ultimately restrained, released, and eternally judged “so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.” Deception is temporary; truth prevails forever. Conclusion Strong’s 4105 traces the peril of wandering from God and the promise of divine rescue. From pastoral parable to apocalyptic climax, Scripture consistently warns, “Do not be deceived,” while offering the sure hope of the Shepherd who gathers every erring sheep into everlasting truth. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 18:12 V-ASP-3SGRK: πρόβατα καὶ πλανηθῇ ἓν ἐξ NAS: and one of them has gone astray, KJV: of them be gone astray, doth he not INT: sheep and be gone astray one of Matthew 18:12 V-PPM/P-ANS Matthew 18:13 V-RPM/P-DNP Matthew 22:29 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 24:4 V-ASA-3S Matthew 24:5 V-FIA-3P Matthew 24:11 V-FIA-3P Matthew 24:24 V-PNM/P Mark 12:24 V-PIM/P-2P Mark 12:27 V-PIM/P-2P Mark 13:5 V-ASA-3S Mark 13:6 V-FIA-3P Luke 21:8 V-ASP-2P John 7:12 V-PIA-3S John 7:47 V-RIM/P-2P 1 Corinthians 6:9 V-PMM/P-2P 1 Corinthians 15:33 V-PMM/P-2P Galatians 6:7 V-PMM/P-2P 2 Timothy 3:13 V-PPA-NMP 2 Timothy 3:13 V-PPM/P-NMP Titus 3:3 V-PPM/P-NMP Hebrews 3:10 V-PIM/P-3P Hebrews 5:2 V-PPM/P-DMP Hebrews 11:38 V-PPM/P-NMP James 1:16 V-PMM/P-2P Strong's Greek 4105 |
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