Lexical Summary apokrinomai: To answer, to reply, to respond Original Word: ἀποκρίνομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance answer. From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare anah) to begin to speak (where an address is expected) -- answer. see GREEK apo see HEBREW anah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and krinó Definition to answer NASB Translation answer (20), answered (169), answered answered (1), answering (8), answers (1), made...answer (1), replied (2), reply (1), respond (1), responded (2), response (1), said (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 611: ἀποκρίνωἀποκρίνω: (passive, 1 aorist ἀπεκρίθην; 1 future ἀποκριθήσομαι); i. to part, separate; passive to be parted, separated (1 aorist ἀπεκρίθην was separated, Homer, Iliad 5:12; Thucydides 2, 49; (4, 72); Theoph. de caus. plant. 6, 14, 10; (other examples in Veitch, under the word)). ii. to give sentence against one, decide that he has lost; hence, middle (present ἀποκρίνομαι; 1 aorist 3 person singular ἀπεκρίνατο); (to give forth a decision from myself (Winers Grammar, 253 (238))), to give answer, to reply; so from Thucydides down (and even in Herodotus 5, 49 (Gaisf.); 8, 101 (Gaisf., Bekker), who generally uses ὑποκρίνομαι). But the earlier and more elegant Greek writings do not give this sense to the passive tenses ἀπεκρίθην, ἀποκριθήσομαι. "The example adduced from Plato, Alcib. Secund., p. 149 b. (cf. Stallb., p. 388) is justly discredited by Sturz, De dial. Alex., p. 148, since it is without parallel, the author of the dialogue is uncertain, and, moreover, the common form is sometimes introduced by copyists." Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 108; (cf. Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 186f; Veitch, under the word; Winers Grammar, 23 (22)). But from Polybius down ἀποκριθῆναι and ἀποκρίνασθαι are used indiscriminately, and in the Bible the passive forms are by far the more common. In the N. T. the aorist middle ἀπεκρίνατο is found only in Matthew 27:12; Mark 14:61; Luke 3:16; Luke 23:9; John 5:17, 19; John 12:23 (R G L Tr marginal reading); Acts 3:12; in the great majority of places ἀπεκρίθη is used; cf. Winers Grammar, § 39, 2; (Buttmann, 51 (44)). 1. to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer; a. simply: καλῶς, Mark 12:28; νουνεχῶς, 34; ὀρθῶς, Luke 10:28; πρός τί, Matthew 27:14. b. with the accusative: λόγον, Matthew 22:46; οὐδέν, Matthew 27:12; Mark 14:61; Mark 15:4f. c. with the dative etc.: ἑνί ἑκάστῳ, Colossians 4:6; together with the words which the answerer uses, John 5:7, 11; John 6:7, 68, etc.; the dative omitted: John 7:46; John 8:19, 49, etc. πρός τινα, Acts 25:16. joined with φάναι, or λέγειν, or εἰπεῖν, in the form of a participle, as ἀποκριθείς εἶπε or ἔφη or λέγει: Matthew 4:4; Matthew 8:8; Matthew 15:13; Luke 9:19; Luke 13:2; Mark 10:3, etc.; or ἀπεκρίθη λέγων: Matthew 25:9, 37, 44; Luke 4:4 (R G L); d. followed by the infinitive: Luke 20:7; followed by the accusative with infinitive: Acts 25:4; followed by ὅτι: Acts 25:16. 2. In imitation of the Hebrew עָנָה (Gesenius, Thesaurus ii., p. 1047) to begin to speak, but always where something has preceded (either said or done) to which the remarks refer (Winer's Grammar, 19): Matthew 11:25; Matthew 12:38; Matthew 15:15; Matthew 17:4; Matthew 22:1; Matthew 28:5; Mark 9:5 ( The verb translated “answer” or “reply” designates the responsive word that clarifies, defends, teaches, judges, or comforts. It occurs in virtually every kind of New Testament scene—worship, controversy, courtroom inquiry, private conversation, and heavenly vision—signaling that speech is never neutral in the biblical worldview but reveals the heart (Matthew 12:34), exposes motives (John 18:37), and advances redemptive history. Frequency and Distribution in the New Testament Appearing 232 times, the word saturates the Gospels, dominates Johannine dialogue, and punctuates Acts, while also surfacing in Revelation and an epistle. Matthew and John contain the highest concentrations, a reminder that the life and teaching of Jesus are recorded largely through exchanges in which questions invite authoritative answers. Luke employs the verb to connect narrative units, and Acts shows the apostolic community answering both angelic and judicial summons. Revelation’s single use (Revelation 7:13) places responsive speech in the heavenly court, demonstrating continuity between earthly and celestial testimony. Patterns of Usage in the Synoptic Gospels 1. Instructional Replies: Jesus answers satanic temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:4), legalists with prophetic insight (Matthew 12:39), and disciples with eschatological previews (Matthew 24:4). Distinctive Usage in the Gospel of John John employs the verb as a hinge for revelatory discourse. The evangelist frequently writes “Jesus answered and said,” even when no explicit question is recorded (John 5:17; John 6:29). This Hebraic narrative device underscores that Jesus’ words are always a divine response to human need or misunderstanding. Key theological truths are introduced in such replies: new birth (John 3:3), living water (John 4:10), divine authority (John 5:19), true freedom (John 8:34), and the unity of Father and Son (John 10:25). Notably, the climactic confession “Thomas answered Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28) identifies Jesus with Deity through the very act of answering. Liturgical and Judicial Settings in Acts Acts records the church answering prophetic calls (Acts 8:34), hostile councils (Acts 5:29), and civil authorities (Acts 24:10). These replies articulate apostolic doctrine (“We must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29) and appeal to due process (Acts 25:16). Answers, therefore, are instruments of witness, turning trials into platforms for gospel proclamation. Apocalyptic and Heavenly Dialogues in Revelation Revelation 7:13–14 presents an elder addressing John: “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘These in white robes—who are they…?’” The heavenly answer interprets vision, demonstrating that divine revelation includes questions that elicit clarifying responses, ensuring that the seer and readers grasp God’s purposes. Christological Implications When Jesus answers, He exercises divine prerogative, revealing hidden realities and judging thoughts (John 2:19–25). His responses authenticate the Law (Matthew 22:29), expose hypocrisy (Luke 13:15), and offer salvation (John 4:10). Conversely, His silence in certain trials fulfills messianic prophecy and highlights His voluntary submission (Mark 14:61). Interaction with Old Testament Echoes The Septuagint often uses the same verb to render prophetic or divine replies (e.g., Genesis 18:27). The New Testament thus presents Jesus and His followers standing in the prophetic stream, their answers carrying covenant authority. Pastoral and Practical Applications Believers are called to let their “speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Apostolic practice models answers grounded in Scripture, centered on Christ, and delivered with bold humility. In evangelism, apologetics, and congregational life, a well-formed answer is both duty and privilege. Theological Summary New Testament answering is never mere conversation; it is revelation, confession, and judgment. Whether on earth or in heaven, in the mouth of the Lord, His apostles, or His people, an answer discloses truth, confronts error, and advances the kingdom. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:15 V-APP-NMSGRK: ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ NAS: But Jesus answering said KJV: And Jesus answering said unto INT: having answered moreover Matthew 4:4 V-APP-NMS Matthew 8:8 V-APP-NMS Matthew 11:4 V-APP-NMS Matthew 11:25 V-APP-NMS Matthew 12:38 V-AIM-3P Matthew 12:39 V-APP-NMS Matthew 12:48 V-APP-NMS Matthew 13:11 V-APP-NMS Matthew 13:37 V-APP-NMS Matthew 14:28 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:3 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:13 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:15 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:23 V-AIM-3S Matthew 15:24 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:26 V-APP-NMS Matthew 15:28 V-APP-NMS Matthew 16:2 V-APP-NMS Matthew 16:16 V-APP-NMS Matthew 16:17 V-APP-NMS Matthew 17:4 V-APP-NMS Matthew 17:11 V-APP-NMS Matthew 17:17 V-APP-NMS Matthew 19:4 V-APP-NMS Strong's Greek 611 |
    |