Lexical Summary apoluó: To release, to set free, to dismiss, to send away, to divorce. Original Word: ἀπολύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dismiss, divorce, abandon, release. From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce -- (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty. see GREEK apo see GREEK luo HELPS Word-studies 630 apolýō (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 3089 /lýō, "to loose, release") – properly, to let go; release (discharge), dismiss. This term implies the release (annulment) of an existing bond. 630 /apolýō ("to release") is specifically used of divorcing a marital partner (Mt 1:19, 5:31,32, 19:7-9 – parallels at Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18). Note: The Bible never contradicts itself and hence "the divorce passages" in the Gospels uttered by Jesus (following on fornication) are not contrary to the lengthy treatment of marriage/divorce by Paul in 1 Cor 6:15-7:16 (which permits divorce on a broad definition of constructive or actual abandonment). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and luó Definition to set free, release NASB Translation dismissed (1), divorce (3), divorced (2), divorces (5), freed (1), leaving (1), let...go (2), pardon (1), pardoned (1), release (20), released (8), releasing...to depart (1), send...away (9), sending...away (1), sending away (1), sends...away (1), sent...away (6), sent away (2), set free (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 630: ἀπολύωἀπολύω; (imperfect ἀπελυον); future ἀπολύσω; 1 aorist ἀπελυσα; passive, perfect ἀπολελυμαι; 1 aorist ἀπελυθην; (future ἀπολυθήσομαι); imperfect middle ἀπελυομην (Acts 28:25); used in the N. T. only in the historical books and in Hebrews 13:23; to loose from, sever by loosening, undo (see ἀπό, V.); 1. to set free: τινα τίνος (so in Greek writings even from Homer down), to liberate one from a thing (as from a bond), Luke 13:12 (ἀπολέλυσαι (thou hast been loosed i. e.) be thou free from (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 40, 4) τῆς ἀσθενείας (L T ἀπό τῆς ἀσθενείας)). 2. to let go, dismiss (to detain no longer); τινα, a. a suppliant to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer: Matthew 15:23; Luke 2:29 (`me whom thou hadst determined to keep on earth until I had seen the salvation prepared for Israel, cf. Luke 2:26, thou art now dismissing with my wish accomplished, and this dismission is at the same time dismission also from life' — in reference to which ἀπολύειν is used in Numbers 20:29; Tobit 3:6; (cf. Genesis 15:2; 2 Macc. 7:9; Plutarch, consol. ad Apoll. § 13 cf. 11 at the end)); (Acts 23:22). b. to bid depart, send away: Matthew 14:15, 22; Matthew 15:32, 39; Mark 6:36, 45; Mark 8:3, 9; Luke 8:38; Luke 9:12; Luke 14:4; Acts 13:3; Acts 19:41 (τήν ἐκκλησίαν); passive Acts 15:30, 33. 3. to let go free, to release; a. a captive, i. e. to loose his bonds and bid him depart, to give him liberty to depart: Luke 22:68 (R G L Tr in brackets); b. to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty: John 19:12; Acts 3:13. c. indulgently to grant a prisoner leave to depart: Acts 4:21, 23; Acts 5:40; Acts 17:9. d. to release a debtor, i. e. not to press one's claim against him, to remit his debt: Matthew 18:27; metaphorically, to pardon another his offences against me: Luke 6:37 (τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἀπολύεσθαι, 2 Macc. 12:45). 4. used of divorce, as ἀπολύω τήν γυναῖκα to dismiss from the house, to repudiate: Matthew 1:19; Matthew 5:31; Matthew 19:3, 7-9; Mark 10:2, 4, 11; Luke 16:18; (1 Esdr. 9:36); and improperly a wife deserting her husband is said τόν ἄνδρα ἀπολύειν in Mark 10:12 (cf. Diodorus 12, 18) (unless, as is more probable, Mark, contrary to historic accuracy (yet cf. Josephus, Antiquities 15, 7, 10), makes Jesus speak in accordance with Greek and Roman usage, according to which wives also repudiated their husbands (references in Meyer, at the passage)); (cf. שִׁלַּח, Jeremiah 3:8; Deuteronomy 21:14; Deuteronomy 22:19, 29). 5. Middle ἀπολύομαι, properly, to send oneself away; to depart (Winer's Grammar, 253 (238)): Acts 28:20 (returned home; Exodus 33:11). Strong’s Greek 630 gathers the varied New Testament uses of the verb family that speaks of releasing, dismissing, setting free, sending away, or divorcing. Across Gospel narrative, apostolic history, pastoral instruction, and prophetic expectation, the word group highlights the Lord’s authority to free and the believer’s responsibility in matters of justice, ministry, and covenant faithfulness. Old Testament and Jewish Backdrop In the Septuagint the same verb frequently renders the Hebrew “shalach” (to send away) and “shalach chophshi” (to let go free), language used of Pharaoh’s reluctant release of Israel, of emancipating Hebrew slaves in the seventh year, and of proclaiming liberty in the Year of Jubilee. Thus every New Testament occurrence resonates with Israel’s account of deliverance and the divine right to command release. Judicial Release and Political Custom Pilate “used to release for them one prisoner” at the feast (Mark 15:6). The Passover amnesty climaxes when the crowd rejects Jesus’ freedom and demands Barabbas (Mark 15:15; Matthew 27:26; Luke 23:25; John 18:39). Scripture contrasts earthly courts with the heavenly Judge: human rulers release or retain on shifting motives, yet God’s verdict is righteous. Later, Roman officials repeatedly “let them go” when no capital charge could stand against apostles (Acts 4:21; 5:40; 23:22; 28:18, 25). The narrative underscores both the legal innocence of gospel preachers and the unstoppable spread of the word once they are released. Deliverance from Imprisonment Acts 16:35-36 recounts magistrates ordering the jailer, “Release those men.” The miracle at Philippi (doors opened, chains loosed) becomes literal proof that the Lord “opens the prison to those who are bound” (compare Isaiah 61:1). Hebrews 13:23 notes that “Timothy has been released,” a pastoral encouragement that God still secures liberation for His servants. Dismissal of Crowds Jesus regularly “dismissed the crowds” after ministry (Matthew 14:22-23; 15:39; Mark 6:45). The action signals compassionate leadership: the people are sent away satisfied, while the disciples learn dependence as Jesus departs to pray. When the disciples urge Him, “Send the crowd away so they can go into the surrounding villages” (Luke 9:12), He instead feeds them, illustrating that true release comes through His provision. Sending Forth for Mission The Antioch church, having fasted and prayed, “released them” (Paul and Barnabas) to the work (Acts 13:3). After the Jerusalem Council “they were sent off in peace” (Acts 15:30-33). Gospel advance depends on congregations willingly releasing choice servants. The same verb stresses both authority and fellowship: leaders lay hands, commend, and then trust God with the outcome. Healing and Spiritual Freedom To the woman bent double for eighteen years Jesus declared, “Woman, you are set free from your disability” (Luke 13:12). Physical liberation prefigures the fuller deliverance from sin and Satan accomplished at the cross. Simeon’s exclamation at the presentation of Jesus, “Sovereign Lord, now You dismiss Your servant in peace” (Luke 2:29), frames death itself as a gracious release into promised rest for the righteous. Marriage, Divorce, and Covenant Ethics Seventeen occurrences concern the dismissal of a spouse. Jesus’ teaching is decisive: “Whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9; cf. 5:31-32; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). The verb exposes a culture that casually “sends away” partners and reasserts the permanence of God-ordained marriage. Moses permitted certificates of dismissal because of hardness of heart, yet from the beginning it was not so (Matthew 19:8). The word therefore confronts both personal sin and societal drift, calling disciples back to covenant faithfulness. Intercession, Mercy, and the Spirit of Release In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the master “released him and forgave the debt” (Matthew 18:27), intertwining 630’s sense of dismissal with gracious pardon. Believers who have been released from an unpayable debt must extend like mercy. Luke records Jesus’ charge, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven; release, and you will be released” (Luke 6:37), linking the verb to reciprocal grace within the community. Theological Motifs 1. Substitution: The release of Barabbas in place of Jesus dramatizes substitutionary atonement—an innocent condemned so the guilty may go free. Practical Implications for Ministry • Churches must balance stewardship and trust, releasing proven leaders for wider service. Key Representative Passages Mark 15:15 – “So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.” Luke 13:12 – “When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your disability.’” Matthew 19:9 – “I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” Acts 13:3 – “And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Hebrews 13:23 – “You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I will see you if he comes soon.” Luke 2:29 – “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.” Summary Whether freeing prisoners, dismissing crowds, sending missionaries, or regulating covenant obligations, the verb highlighted by Strong’s 630 consistently reveals God’s sovereign right to release and humanity’s call to exercise that right in righteousness, mercy, and obedience. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:19 V-ANAGRK: ἐβουλήθη λάθρᾳ ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν NAS: her, planned to send her away secretly. KJV: to put her away privily. INT: purposed secretly to send away her Matthew 5:31 V-ASA-3S Matthew 5:32 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 5:32 V-RPM/P-AFS Matthew 14:15 V-AMA-2S Matthew 14:22 V-ASA-3S Matthew 14:23 V-APA-NMS Matthew 15:23 V-AMA-2S Matthew 15:32 V-ANA Matthew 15:39 V-APA-NMS Matthew 18:27 V-AIA-3S Matthew 19:3 V-ANA Matthew 19:7 V-ANA Matthew 19:8 V-ANA Matthew 19:9 V-ASA-3S Matthew 19:9 V-RPP-AFS Matthew 27:15 V-PNA Matthew 27:17 V-ASA-1S Matthew 27:21 V-ASA-1S Matthew 27:26 V-AIA-3S Mark 6:36 V-AMA-2S Mark 6:45 V-PIA-3S Mark 8:3 V-ASA-1S Mark 8:9 V-AIA-3S Mark 10:2 V-ANA Strong's Greek 630 |
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