4563. saroó

Lexical Summary

saroó: To sweep, to clean by sweeping

Original Word: σαρόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: saroó
Pronunciation: sah-ro'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (sar-o'-o)
KJV: sweep
NASB: swept, sweep
Word Origin: [from a derivative of sairo "to brush off" (akin to G4951 (σύρω - dragging))]

1. to sweep (with a broom)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sweep.

From a derivative of sairo (to brush off; akin to suro); meaning a broom; to sweep -- sweep.

see GREEK suro

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sairó (to sweep)
Definition
to sweep
NASB Translation
sweep (1), swept (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4563: σαρόω

σαρόω (for the earlier σαίρω, cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 83 (Winer's Grammar, 24, 91 (87))), σάρω; perfect passive participle σεσαρωμένος; (σάρον a broom); to sweep, clean by sweeping: τί, Luke 15:8; passive, Matthew 12:44; Luke 11:25. (Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 2, 33; (Apoll. Dysk., p. 253, 7); Geoponica.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4563 appears only three times in the New Testament and always describes the action of sweeping a house. Although ordinary and domestic, the term serves as an illustration of profound spiritual truths, especially in the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ.

New Testament Usage

1. Matthew 12:44 – In the parable of the returning unclean spirit, the expelled demon finds “the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.”
2. Luke 11:25 – Luke’s parallel reiterates that the house is “swept and put in order.”
3. Luke 15:8 – In the Parable of the Lost Coin a woman “lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds” the missing drachma.

Cultural and Historical Background

First-century Palestinian homes were typically small, one-room dwellings with packed-earth or stone floors. A window slit high in the wall gave scant light, so a lamp was often needed even in daylight, especially when searching for a lost object. Sweeping was done with a bundle of reeds or palm fibers tied together, a tool effective for pushing dust and debris out the doorway or into a corner for disposal. Because coins could slip between uneven stones or become covered by loose straw, a thorough sweeping was essential for recovery. Listeners in Galilee and Judea easily grasped the imagery: diligent housecleaning was familiar daily labor.

Symbolic and Theological Themes

Spiritual Cleansing without Indwelling Presence — In Matthew 12 and Luke 11 the “swept” house illustrates a life temporarily cleansed yet left spiritually empty. Deliverance has occurred, but without repentance and the indwelling Holy Spirit the person remains vulnerable. The image warns against moral reform that lacks genuine conversion.

Divine Diligence in Redemption — Luke 15 extends the metaphor positively. The woman’s sweeping portrays God’s persevering search for sinners. Her painstaking effort reflects the shepherd who seeks the lost sheep and the father who waits for the prodigal son in the surrounding parables.

Judgment upon a Generation — Jesus concludes the unclean-spirit illustration with the sober verdict: “So will it be with this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:45). A nation may experience outward purging through prophetic preaching yet fall into deeper bondage if it refuses to embrace the Messiah.

Joy in Restoration — The recovered coin triggers communal rejoicing (Luke 15:9–10). Sweeping, though humble, becomes the means by which the lost is found, underscoring heaven’s joy “over one sinner who repents.”

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

• Evangelism: The woman’s careful sweeping models persistent, methodical outreach. Believers are called to remove obstacles—ignorance, prejudice, apathy—that hide the lost from view.
• Sanctification: The swept house motif cautions against superficial piety. True holiness requires both cleansing and filling—confession of sin and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Counseling and Deliverance: When helping someone freed from spiritual oppression, workers must guide the person into disciplined fellowship, prayer, and Scripture so that the “house” is not merely empty but occupied by Christ.
• Corporate Renewal: Congregations may undergo seasons of moral reform; leaders must follow through with sound teaching and Spirit-empowered worship lest initial victories be reversed.

Related Concepts and Further Study

Sweep imagery in the Septuagint and Hebrew Scriptures (such as Isaiah 14:23) connects housecleaning with divine judgment and restoration, enriching the New Testament parallels. Study alongside passages on cleansing (Psalm 51:2), indwelling (John 14:17), and vigilance against relapse (2 Peter 2:20-22) to gain a fuller biblical theology of spiritual house-keeping.

Forms and Transliterations

σαροι σαροί σαροῖ σεσαρωμενον σεσαρωμένον saroi saroî sesaromenon sesaroménon sesarōmenon sesarōménon

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 12:44 V-RPM/P-AMS
GRK: σχολάζοντα καὶ σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον
NAS: [it] unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
KJV: [it] empty, swept, and
INT: unoccupied and swept and put in order

Luke 11:25 V-RPM/P-AMS
GRK: εὑρίσκει σχολάζοντα σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον
NAS: it finds it swept and put in order.
KJV: he findeth [it] swept and
INT: it finds [it] empty swept and adorned

Luke 15:8 V-PIA-3S
GRK: λύχνον καὶ σαροῖ τὴν οἰκίαν
NAS: a lamp and sweep the house
KJV: a candle, and sweep the house, and
INT: a lamp and sweeps the house

Strong's Greek 4563
3 Occurrences

σαροῖ — 1 Occ.
σεσαρωμένον — 2 Occ.