Lexical Summary siópaó: To be silent, to hold one's peace, to be quiet. Original Word: σιωπάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be silent, hold peace. From siope (silence, i.e. A hush; properly, muteness, i.e. Involuntary stillness, or inability to speak; and thus differing from sige, which is rather a voluntary refusal or indisposition to speak, although the terms are often used synonymously); to be dumb (but not deaf also, like kophos properly); figuratively, to be calm (as quiet water) -- dumb, (hold) peace. see GREEK sige NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom siópé (silence) Definition to be silent NASB Translation become silent (1), hush (1), kept silent (4), quiet (2), silent (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4623: σιωπάωσιωπάω, σιώπω; imperfect, 3 person singular ἐσιώπα, 3 person plural ἐσιώπων; future σιωπήσω (Luke 19:40 L T Tr WH); 1 aorist ἐσιώπησα; (σιωπή silence); from Homer down; to be silent, hold one's peace: properly, Matthew 20:31; Matthew 26:63; Mark 3:4; Mark 9:34; Mark 10:48; Mark 14:61; Luke 18:39 R G; Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning and Nuances 4623 conveys the deliberate choice to cease speaking or to remain unvoiced. In context it may express reverence, restraint, fear, disbelief, enforced quiet, or divine command. Every occurrence shows a purposeful silence that serves a larger redemptive purpose rather than a mere absence of sound. Old Testament Echoes The Septuagint frequently uses cognate forms to translate Hebrew calls for hushed awe before God (Habakkuk 2:20) or to portray mute astonishment (Job 29:9). These echoes prepare the reader to see New Testament silence as a theologically charged act rather than a neutral pause in conversation. Silence in Judicial and Passion Narratives Matthew 26:63 and Mark 14:61 record the Messiah’s silent submission while under oath before the high priest: “But Jesus remained silent”. His refusal to answer fulfills Isaiah 53:7 and highlights voluntary suffering. The silence is not weakness but sovereign restraint, allowing prophetic Scripture to unfold and underscoring His innocence amid unjust proceedings. Silence Exposing Hard Hearts In Mark 3:4 Jesus asks whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. “But they were silent.” Their silence unmasks hardened hearts that value ritual over mercy. Similarly, Mark 9:34 reveals the disciples’ embarrassment after arguing about greatness; their quiet confession of guilt prepares them for Jesus’ teaching on servanthood. Silence Commanding Creation Mark 4:39 records Jesus’ authoritative rebuke of the storm: “Peace! Be still!” (literally, “Be silent!”). Nature submits instantly, showcasing His divine sovereignty. The same verb that describes human silence is here stretched to cosmic proportions, demonstrating that all creation answers to the incarnate Word. Silencing the Marginalized—And Their Refusal The crowds attempt to suppress the cries of the blind in Matthew 20:31 and Mark 10:48: “The crowd admonished them to be silent”. Yet the sufferers shout louder, modeling persevering faith that refuses to be muted. Their persistence leads to healing, reminding the Church never to hush genuine pleas for mercy. Silence and Mission Acts 18:9 reverses the pattern: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Paul is commanded to reject silence because the Gospel must advance in Corinth. The verse establishes a missionary principle: holy silence is appropriate at times, but evangelistic boldness must prevail when the Lord opens a door for the word. Silence in Eschatological Praise Luke 19:40 places silence in an eschatological frame: “‘If they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.’” Attempted suppression of worship is futile; creation itself will testify to the King’s arrival. The verb thus becomes a foil against which unstoppable praise is contrasted. Silence as Divine Discipline Zechariah’s muteness in Luke 1:20—“you will be silent and unable to speak”—functions as corrective discipline for unbelief. The imposed silence teaches that doubting God’s promises hampers proclamation, while the eventual restoration of speech (Luke 1:64) leads to prophetic praise. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Discernment: Knowing when to remain silent (Proverbs 17:28) and when to speak (Acts 18:9) is a mark of wisdom. Historical Reception Early church fathers such as Justin Martyr cited Jesus’ silent suffering as evidence of messianic fulfillment. Monastic traditions developed rhythms of contemplative silence, inspired in part by the Gospel narratives, to cultivate attentiveness to the Spirit. Reformers, meanwhile, emphasized Acts 18:9 to encourage fearless preaching amid persecution. Summary Strong’s Greek 4623 weaves a theology of purposeful quiet—sometimes chosen, sometimes commanded, sometimes rebuked. Whether unveiling hard hearts, amplifying desperate faith, disciplining unbelief, or exalting divine authority, each occurrence directs attention to the Word who can command storms, still tongues, or loose them for proclamation. The believer learns to hold speech and silence alike in faithful obedience to the Lord who governs both. Forms and Transliterations εσιωπα εσιώπα ἐσιώπα εσιώπησα εσιώπησαν εσιώπησας εσιώπησεν εσιωπων εσιώπων ἐσιώπων έσκαλλε σεσιωπήκαμεν Σιωπα Σιώπα σιωπατε σιωπάτε σιωπήν σιωπησάτω σιωπήσεται σιωπήσεώς σιωπηση σιωπήση σιωπήσῃ σιωπησης σιωπήσης σιωπήσῃς σιωπήσομαι σιωπήσονται σιωπησουσιν σιωπήσουσιν σιωπήσω σιωπησωσιν σιωπήσωσιν σιωπώμεν σιωπων σιωπών σιωπῶν σκαμβή esiopa esiōpa esiṓpa esiopon esiōpōn esiṓpon esiṓpōn Siopa Siōpa Siṓpa siopese siōpēsē siopḗsei siōpḗsēi siopḗseis siōpḗsēis siopeses siōpēsēs siopesosin siopḗsosin siōpēsōsin siōpḗsōsin siopesousin siopḗsousin siōpēsousin siōpḗsousin siopon siopôn siōpōn siōpō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 20:31 V-ASA-3PGRK: αὐτοῖς ἵνα σιωπήσωσιν οἱ δὲ NAS: sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried KJV: because they should hold their peace: but INT: them that they should be silent moreover Matthew 26:63 V-IIA-3S Mark 3:4 V-IIA-3P Mark 4:39 V-PMA-2S Mark 9:34 V-IIA-3P Mark 10:48 V-ASA-3S Mark 14:61 V-IIA-3S Luke 1:20 V-PPA-NMS Luke 19:40 V-FIA-3P Acts 18:9 V-ASA-2S Strong's Greek 4623 |
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