520. apagó
Lexical Summary
apagó: To lead away, to carry off, to take away

Original Word: ἀπάγω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apagó
Pronunciation: ä-pä'-gō
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ag'-o)
KJV: bring, carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away
NASB: led away, lead away, leads, bringing, lead, led astray, led away
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and G71 (ἄγω - brought)]

1. to take off (in various senses)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bring, carry away, put to death, take away.

From apo and ago; to take off (in various senses) -- bring, carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away.

see GREEK apo

see GREEK ago

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from apo and agó
Definition
to lead away
NASB Translation
bringing (1), lead (1), lead...away (2), leads (2), led astray (1), led away (1), led...away (6), took (1), took...away (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 520: ἀπάγω

ἀπάγω; (imperfect ἀπηγον (Luke 23:26 Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading)); 2 aorist ἀπήγαγον; passive (present ἀπάγομαι); 1 aorist ἀπηχθην; (from Homer down); to lead away: Luke 13:15 (namely, ἀπό τῆς φάτνης); Acts 23:10 (Lachmann (ed. min.)); (namely, hence); (R G) (away, ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ἡμῶν); 1 Corinthians 12:2 (led astray πρός τά εἴδωλα). Used especially of those led off to trial, prison, punishment: Matthew 26:57; Matthew 27:2, 31; Mark 14:44, 53; Mark 15:16; Luke 21:12 (T Tr WH); ( T Tr WH); ; John 18:13 R G (ἤγαγον L T Tr WH); Rec.; Acts 12:19; (so also in Greek writings). Used of a way leading to a certain end: Matthew 7:13, 14 (εἰς τήν ἀπώλειαν, εἰς τήν ζωήν). (Compare: συναπάγω.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical Usage

The verb ἀπάγω is used sixteen times in the New Testament to describe the act of leading or taking a person (or animal) from one place to another. The contexts range from everyday rural life to judicial proceedings and spiritual exhortation. Its range of meaning clusters around three main themes: compulsory removal by authority, deliberate guidance into danger or idolatry, and ordinary, purposeful leading.

Judicial and Custodial Removal

1. Jesus’ Passion. Matthew 26:57; Matthew 27:2, 31; Mark 14:53; Mark 15:16; Luke 22:66; Luke 23:26 all portray Jesus being “led away” from Gethsemane through successive venues of Jewish and Roman jurisdiction until the road to Calvary. The verb underscores His willing submission to human authority in order to fulfill divine prophecy: “After they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe, put His own clothes back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him” (Matthew 27:31).
2. Arrests and trials in Acts. Acts 12:19 records Herod’s guards being “led away” to execution for Peter’s escape; Acts 23:17 and Acts 24:7 describe the transfer of Paul and his informant within the Roman system. The word highlights governmental power, yet the broader narrative shows God overruling human courts for His purposes.

Persecution of the Saints

Jesus forewarned His followers: “They will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors on account of My name” (Luke 21:12). The same verb that tells of Christ’s own surrender anticipates the Church’s suffering. Believers are reminded that being “led away” does not signify divine abandonment but participation in Christ’s afflictions (Philippians 1:29).

Spiritual Misguidance

Paul applies ἀπάγω metaphorically: “When you were pagans, you were led away to mute idols, however you were led” (1 Corinthians 12:2). The imagery evokes a helpless procession under unseen powers. Likewise, Jesus contrasts two roads: “For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13) versus the narrow way “that leads to life” (Matthew 7:14). The verb starkly divides destinies—idolatry and ruin on one side, eternal life on the other.

Everyday Illustrations

In Luke 13:15 Jesus appeals to common Sabbath practice: “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water?” The mundane act of leading an animal gives weight to His argument for compassionate healing. Here ἀπάγω denotes purposeful, benevolent guidance—an image of the Lord’s shepherd‐like care.

Historical Setting

First-century arrests typically involved a cohort escorting the accused to the praetorium or Sanhedrin. Roman law required physical custody (“leading away”) to establish jurisdiction. Jewish leaders likewise “led” Jesus from Gethsemane to Annas and Caiaphas before dawn (John 18). Understanding this practice clarifies the rapid, sequential hearings reflected by multiple Gospel occurrences of ἀπάγω.

Christological Significance

Isaiah foresaw the Suffering Servant: “By oppression and judgment He was taken away” (Isaiah 53:8). The Gospel writers’ repeated use of ἀπάγω deliberately echoes that prophecy, presenting Jesus as the Lamb silently escorted to sacrifice. The term therefore carries sacrificial overtones; the One led to death becomes the Shepherd who leads many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

Ministry and Pastoral Application

• Shepherding versus seizure: Christian leaders are called to “lead” the flock willingly (1 Peter 5:2–3), not under compulsion. The contrast between voluntary guidance and forced removal warns against domineering leadership.
• Discernment: Congregations must test every influence that seeks to “lead them away” from the simplicity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).
• Endurance under arrest: The early Church’s experience of being “led away” confirms that imprisonment can advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12–14). Courage in custody remains a timeless witness.

Theological Emphasis

1. Sovereignty: Human authorities may lead, yet God directs the outcome (Acts 4:27–28).
2. Substitution: The Innocent was led away so the guilty might be led to life.
3. Two ways: Everyone is being led—either by the Spirit toward Christ or by deceit toward destruction.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 520 surfaces in pivotal moments of redemptive history, portraying the movement of persons under authority—sometimes benevolent, often hostile. Whether describing an ox to water, a disciple to court, or the Messiah to the cross, ἀπάγω presses the reader to ask: Who is leading me, and where is that path headed?

Forms and Transliterations
απάγαγε ἀπάγαγε απαγάγετε απαγάγη απαγάγοι απαγαγόντες απαγαγών ἀπαγαγὼν απαγε ἄπαγε απάγει απαγέσθωσαν απαγετε ἀπάγετε απαγομενοι απαγόμενοι ἀπαγόμενοι απαγομενους ἀπαγομένους απαγουσα απάγουσα ἀπάγουσα απαγωγή απαγωγήν απαγων ἀπάγων απαιδευσίαν απάξει απαχθηναι απαχθήναι ἀπαχθῆναι απαχθήσεται απάχθητε απήγαγε απήγαγέ απηγαγεν απήγαγεν ἀπήγαγεν απήγαγες απηγαγον απήγαγον ἀπήγαγον απηγμένους απήκτο apachthenai apachthênai apachthēnai apachthē̂nai apagage apágage apagagon apagagōn apagagṑn apagete apágete apagomenoi apagómenoi apagomenous apagoménous apagousa apágousa apegagen apēgagen apḗgagen apegagon apēgagon apḗgagon
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 7:13 V-PPA-NFS
GRK: ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν
NAS: is broad that leads to destruction,
KJV: [is] the way, that leadeth to
INT: way which leads to

Matthew 7:14 V-PPA-NFS
GRK: ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν
NAS: is narrow that leads to life,
KJV: [is] the way, which leadeth unto life,
INT: way that leads to

Matthew 26:57 V-AIA-3P
GRK: τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπήγαγον πρὸς Καιάφαν
NAS: Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas,
KJV: on Jesus led [him] away to
INT: Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas

Matthew 27:2 V-AIA-3P
GRK: δήσαντες αὐτὸν ἀπήγαγον καὶ παρέδωκαν
NAS: and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered
KJV: him, they led [him] away, and
INT: having bound him they led away [him] and delivered him to

Matthew 27:31 V-AIA-3P
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς
NAS: His [own] garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify
KJV: led him away to crucify
INT: of him and led away him to

Mark 14:44 V-PMA-2P
GRK: αὐτὸν καὶ ἀπάγετε ἀσφαλῶς
NAS: He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard.
KJV: him, and lead [him] away safely.
INT: him and lead [him] away securely

Mark 14:53 V-AIA-3P
GRK: Καὶ ἀπήγαγον τὸν Ἰησοῦν
NAS: They led Jesus away
KJV: Jesus away to
INT: And they led away Jesus

Mark 15:16 V-AIA-3P
GRK: δὲ στρατιῶται ἀπήγαγον αὐτὸν ἔσω
NAS: The soldiers took Him away into the palace
KJV: led him away into the hall,
INT: and [the] soldiers led away him within

Luke 13:15 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει
NAS: from the stall and lead him away to water
KJV: and lead [him] away to watering?
INT: stall and having led [it] away give [it] drink

Luke 21:12 V-PPM/P-AMP
GRK: καὶ φυλακάς ἀπαγομένους ἐπὶ βασιλεῖς
NAS: and prisons, bringing you before
INT: and prisons bringing [you] before kings

Luke 22:66 V-AIA-3P
GRK: γραμματεῖς καὶ ἀπήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς
NAS: and scribes, and they led Him away to their council
INT: scribes and they led him into

Luke 23:26 V-AIA-3P
GRK: Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν ἐπιλαβόμενοι
NAS: When they led Him away, they seized
KJV: him away, they laid hold upon
INT: And as they led away him having laid hold on

Acts 12:19 V-ANP
GRK: φύλακας ἐκέλευσεν ἀπαχθῆναι καὶ κατελθὼν
NAS: and ordered that they be led away [to execution]. Then
KJV: and commanded that [they] should be put to death. And
INT: guards he commanded [them] to be led away [to death] And having gone down

Acts 23:17 V-PMA-2P
GRK: νεανίαν τοῦτον ἀπάγαγε πρὸς τὸν
NAS: to him and said, Lead this
KJV: unto [him], and said, Bring this
INT: young man this take to the

Acts 24:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: χειρῶν ἡμῶν ἀπήγαγεν
KJV: violence took [him] away out of
INT: hands of us took away [him]

1 Corinthians 12:2 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: ἂν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι
NAS: you were pagans, [you were] led astray to the mute
KJV: Gentiles, carried away unto
INT: anyhow you might be led led away

Strong's Greek 520
16 Occurrences


ἀπαχθῆναι — 1 Occ.
ἀπάγαγε — 1 Occ.
ἀπαγαγὼν — 1 Occ.
ἀπάγετε — 1 Occ.
ἀπαγόμενοι — 1 Occ.
ἀπαγομένους — 1 Occ.
ἀπάγουσα — 2 Occ.
ἀπήγαγεν — 1 Occ.
ἀπήγαγον — 7 Occ.

519
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