Lexical Summary agrupneó: To be watchful, to stay awake, to be vigilant Original Word: ἀγρυπνέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance watch. Ultimately from a (as negative particle) and hupnos; to be sleepless, i.e. Keep awake -- watch. see GREEK a see GREEK hupnos HELPS Word-studies 69 agrypnéō (from 1 /A, "not" and 5258 /hýpnos, "sleep") – properly, no sleeping; (figuratively) staying vigilant (alert, attentive), i.e. without any unnecessary "time off." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agreuó and hupnos Definition to be sleepless, wakeful NASB Translation alert (1), keep on the alert (2), keep watch (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 69: ἀγρυπνέωἀγρυπνέω, (ῶ; (ἄγρυπνος eqluiv. to ἄϋπνος); to be sleepless, keep awake, watch (equivalent to γρηγορέω (see below)); (from Theognis down); tropically, to be circumspect, attentive, ready: Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; εἰς τί, to be intent upon a thing, Ephesians 6:18; ὑπέρ τίνος, to exercise constant vigilance over something (an image drawn from shepherds), Hebrews 13:17. (Synonyms: ἀγρύπνειν, γρηγορεῖν, νήφειν: "ἀγρύπνειν may be taken to express simply ... absence of sleep, and, pointedly, the absence of it when due to nature, and thence a wakeful frame of mind as opposed to listlessness; while γρηγορεῖν (the offspring of ἐγρήγορα) represents a waking state as the effect of some arousing effort ... i. e. a more stirring image than the former. The group of synonyms is completed by νήφειν, which signifies a state untouched by any slumberous or beclouding influences, and thence, one that is guarded against advances of drowsiness or bewilderment. Thus it becomes a term for wariness (cf. νᾶφε καί μέμνασ' ἀπίστειν) against spiritual dangers and beguilements, 1 Peter 5:8, etc." Green, Critical Notes on the N. T. (note on Mark 13:33f).) Topical Lexicon Essence of the TermThe verb describes active, deliberate wakefulness. It is more than simply remaining physically awake; it is a disciplined attentiveness of mind, heart, and will toward God’s purposes. Its four New Testament uses describe distinct but related spheres of vigilance: personal readiness for Christ’s return, persevering prayer, spiritual warfare, and pastoral care. Old Testament and Jewish Background In the Hebrew Scriptures the call to “watch” often fell to sentinels on city walls (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7) or to priests guarding the temple (2 Chronicles 23:6). These watchmen modeled alertness that protected the covenant community from danger and apostasy. By the Second Temple period, nightly watches divided time into segments, reinforcing the idea that every hour mattered before God (Psalm 119:148). The Greek verb therefore carries inherited covenant overtones: vigilance is a covenant duty, not merely a personal discipline. Watchfulness in the Gospels 1. Mark 13:33: “Be on your guard and stay alert, for you do not know when the time will come.” Spoken during the Olivet Discourse, the command links vigilance with ignorance of timing; disciples safeguard themselves from deception and spiritual stupor by expecting their Master at any moment. 2. Luke 21:36: “But keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is coming and to stand before the Son of Man.” Here the verb is twinned with prayer. Watchfulness is sustained through communion with God and results in moral stamina to endure eschatological upheaval. In both passages Christ applies the imagery of a household servant awaiting the master’s return. Failure to stay awake risks shame and loss (Mark 13:34-36). Apostolic Exhortations • Ephesians 6:18: “Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Watchfulness is the posture that follows the donning of the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). It guards the community, not just the individual, as believers intercede “for all the saints.” • Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them. They keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account.” The term shifts from every believer to appointed shepherds. Elders exercise sleepless care, conscious that Christ will audit their stewardship (compare 1 Peter 5:1-4). Dimensions of the Command 1. Eschatological Readiness Believers anticipate the sudden appearing of Christ (Matthew 24:42; 25:13). Wakefulness proves genuine faith. 2. Prayerful Dependence Repeated pairing with prayer (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18) teaches that vigilance is maintained by continual reliance on God, not self-generated anxiety. 3. Corporate Responsibility Hebrews 13:17 shows that watchfulness is also communal. Overseers watch for doctrinal drift, moral compromise, and spiritual discouragement within Christ’s flock. 4. Spiritual Warfare Alert prayer resists invisible foes (Ephesians 6:12). The verb underscores that warfare is constant; any lapse invites assault (compare 1 Peter 5:8). Historical and Ministry Significance Early Christian writers adopted the theme. The Didache urged believers to “be ready, for you do not know the hour.” Monastic night vigils institutionalized literal wakefulness as a symbol of inner readiness. Reformers reapplied it to diligent Scripture intake and pastoral oversight. In missionary movements, the verse in Ephesians energized concerted prayer bands—an echo of the corporate vigilance envisioned by Paul. For pastors, Hebrews 13:17 frames ministry as night watch duty: loving oversight, doctrinal guarding, and intercessory labor. For congregations, submission to such care cultivates mutual joy and accountability. Practical Applications • Cultivate scheduled and spontaneous prayer as the engine of alertness. Summary The verb calls every Christian community to live between two poles: the finished work of Christ and His imminent return. Whether guarding one’s own heart, interceding for saints, or shepherding souls, biblical watchfulness is an act of faith that trusts God, loves His people, and refuses spiritual slumber. Forms and Transliterations αγρυπνεί αγρυπνειτε αγρυπνείτε ἀγρυπνεῖτε αγρυπνουντες αγρυπνούντες ἀγρυπνοῦντες αγρυπνουσιν αγρυπνούσιν ἀγρυπνοῦσιν αγρυπνών ηγρύπνεις ηγρύπνησα ηγρύπνησεν agrupneite agrupnountes agrupnousin agrypneite agrypneîte agrypnountes agrypnoûntes agrypnousin agrypnoûsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 13:33 V-PMA-2PGRK: βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε οὐκ οἴδατε NAS: Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know KJV: Take ye heed, watch and pray: INT: Take heed watch not you know Luke 21:36 V-PMA-2P Ephesians 6:18 V-PPA-NMP Hebrews 13:17 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 69 |
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