Lexical Summary phuteuó: To plant Original Word: φυτεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance plant. From a derivative of phuo; to set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine -- plant. see GREEK phuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phuton (a plant) Definition to plant NASB Translation plant (1), planted (6), planting (1), plants (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5452: φυτεύωφυτεύω; imperfect ἐφύτευον; 1 aorist ἐφύτευσα; perfect passive participle πεφυτευμενος; 1 aorist passive imperative 2 person singular φυτεύθητι; (φυτόν); from Homer down; the Sept. for נָטַע , several times for שָׁתַל; to plant: absolutely, Luke 17:28; 1 Corinthians 3:6-8; φυτείαν, Matthew 15:13; ἀμπελῶνα, Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1; Luke 20:9; 1 Corinthians 9:7; τί ἐν, with a dative of the place, passive, Luke 13:6; Luke 17:6. Topical Lexicon Agricultural Imagery in ScriptureThe verb φυτεύω, “to plant,” evokes the familiar rhythms of first-century agriculture. Planting requires soil preparation, patient labor, and expectation of future fruit, making it an ideal metaphor for divine initiative and human response. The New Testament writers draw on this imagery to illustrate themes of judgment, faith, discipleship, and apostolic mission. Divine Planting and Sovereign Authority Matthew 15:13 highlights the ultimate authority of God over what endures: “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” The saying affirms that spiritual authenticity originates with God; human traditions lacking divine origin will be uprooted. The image rests on Old Testament precedent (for example, Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 31:28), where the Lord plants His people in covenant faithfulness. Planting, Judgment, and Eschatology In the vineyard parables (Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1; Luke 20:9), a landowner “planted a vineyard” and entrusted it to tenants. The act of planting underscores the owner’s rightful claim to fruit. Rejection of messengers and the son leads to judgment, foreshadowing the rejection of Christ by Israel’s leaders and the consequent transfer of kingdom privileges (Matthew 21:43). Planting thus frames the narrative tension between divine generosity and human accountability. Luke 13:6 presents a fig tree “planted in a vineyard” that yields no fruit. The delay in cutting it down pictures divine patience while warning of impending judgment if repentance fails (Luke 13:9). Faith that Transplants Luke 17:6 repurposes the image: “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Planting becomes a dramatic demonstration of obedient faith. The impossible relocation of a deep-rooted tree illustrates the sufficiency of genuine faith to accomplish what surpasses human possibility. Apostolic Planting and Church Growth Paul employs φυτεύω to describe foundational ministry. Writing to the divided Corinthians he explains, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). The metaphor emphasizes complementary roles and God’s exclusive prerogative to grant increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). The laborers are “one,” yet “each will be rewarded according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Planting here signifies the initial proclamation of the gospel, echoing Paul’s missionary pattern throughout Acts. Further, 1 Corinthians 9:7 asks rhetorically, “Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?” underscoring the right of gospel workers to material support, analogized from the planter’s expectation of harvest. Planting and Perseverance Luke 17:28 recalls the days of Lot: “They were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.” Ordinary activities, including planting, proceeded until sudden judgment fell, warning believers to live vigilantly amid routine life. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Continuity of God’s Redemptive Work: From Eden’s garden to the eschatological renewal, planting images God’s purposeful establishment of His people and His kingdom. 2. Mission Strategy: Paul’s use of φυτεύω legitimizes pioneer church-planting efforts today, recognizing that sowing the gospel seeds requires subsequent nurturing yet relies ultimately on God’s power. 3. Discernment in Doctrine: Matthew 15:13 challenges churches to evaluate practices by Scripture; what the Father has not planted must be uprooted. 4. Pastoral Patience and Urgency: The barren fig tree of Luke 13 urges patient cultivation (intercession, teaching) while acknowledging the reality of divine deadlines. 5. Faith and Obedience: Luke 17:6 inspires believers to trust God for outcomes humanly impossible, confident that the One who plants can transplant at His word. Conclusion Across its eleven New Testament occurrences, φυτεύω weaves a coherent testimony: God plants with purpose, judges fruitlessness, empowers faith, and commands His servants to sow the gospel. The recurring picture of planting calls the church to faithful labor, humble dependence, and hopeful expectation of the harvest He alone can give. Forms and Transliterations εφυτευον εφύτευον ἐφύτευον εφυτευσα εφύτευσα εφύτευσά ἐφύτευσα εφύτευσαν εφύτευσας εφυτεύσατε εφύτευσε εφυτευσεν εφύτευσεν ἐφύτευσεν πεφυτεύκασιν πεφυτευμενην πεφυτευμένην πεφυτευμένης πεφυτευμένοι πεφυτευμένον φυτά φυτευει φυτεύει φυτευθητι φυτεύθητι φυτεύσαι φυτεύσαντες φυτεύσας φυτεύσατε φυτεύσεις φυτεύσετε φυτεύσης φυτεύσονται φυτεύσουσι φυτεύσουσιν φυτεύσω φυτευων φυτεύων φυτόν φυτώ φυτών ephuteuon ephuteusa ephuteusen ephyteuon ephýteuon ephyteusa ephýteusa ephyteusen ephýteusen pephuteumenen pephuteumenēn pephyteumenen pephyteumenēn pephyteuménen pephyteuménēn phuteuei phuteuon phuteuōn phuteutheti phuteuthēti phyteuei phyteúei phyteuon phyteuōn phyteúon phyteúōn phyteutheti phyteuthēti phyteútheti phyteúthētiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 15:13 V-AIA-3SGRK: ἣν οὐκ ἐφύτευσεν ὁ πατήρ NAS: Father did not plant shall be uprooted. KJV: hath not planted, shall be rooted up. INT: which not has planted the Father Matthew 21:33 V-AIA-3S Mark 12:1 V-AIA-3S Luke 13:6 V-RPM/P-AFS Luke 17:6 V-AMP-2S Luke 17:28 V-IIA-3P Luke 20:9 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 3:6 V-AIA-1S 1 Corinthians 3:7 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 3:8 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 9:7 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 5452 |
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