Lexical Summary adémoneó: To be distressed, troubled, or deeply grieved Original Word: ἀδημονέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be distressed, troubledFrom a derivative of adeo (to be sated to loathing); to be in distress (of mind) -- be full of heaviness, be very heavy. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition to be distressed NASB Translation distressed (2), troubled (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 85: ἀδημονέωἀδημονέω, (ῶ; (from the unused ἀδημων, and this from the alpha privative and δῆμος; accordingly, uncomfortable, as not at home, cf. German unheimisch, unheimlich; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Lexil. ii. 136 (Fishlake's trans, p. 29f. But Lob. (Pathol. Proleg., p. 238, cf., p. 160) and others connect it with ἀδήμων, ἀδῆσαι; see Lightfoot on Philippians 2:26)); to be troubled, distressed: Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33; Philippians 2:26. (Xenophon, Hell. 4, 4, 3 ἀδημονῆσαι τάς ψυχάς, and often in secular authors.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences and Context The verb occurs three times in the Greek New Testament. Twice it describes the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33), and once it depicts Epaphroditus’ concern for the Philippian church (Philippians 2:26). Each setting features a godly individual experiencing an acute inner struggle that is neither sinful nor faithless but fully compatible with perfect obedience. Depth of Emotional Strain The word signals more than ordinary sadness. It portrays a crushing weight that presses the spirit toward despair, yet without extinguishing hope. In the Gospel accounts, the intensity of Jesus’ sorrow is framed by parallels to Psalms of lament, drawing readers into the prophetic anticipation of the Suffering Servant. In Philippians, the distress of Epaphroditus springs from self-forgetting love for others rather than fear for his own life. Christ’s Redemptive Agony Matthew 26:37 records that Jesus “began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed”. His turmoil anticipates the cup of wrath He will soon drink. This moment underscores the true humanity of Christ; He does not float above pain but enters it fully. Yet His submission – “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39) – affirms the perfect harmony between His will and the Father’s plan. The distress amplifies, rather than diminishes, His obedience. Pauline Pastoral Compassion Philippians 2:26 reveals a servant-hearted distress: Epaphroditus “has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill”. The man almost died (verse 27), yet his greatest anguish centers on the church’s anxiety, not his own condition. Paul highlights this to exemplify the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). The term thus bridges Gethsemane with everyday pastoral care, showing how Christlike love bears others’ burdens even in weakness. Intertestamental and Patristic Reflections Jewish intertestamental literature rarely uses an exact equivalent term, but the theme of righteous anguish surfaces in Psalms of Solomon and in the Qumran community’s hymns. Early Christian writers seized upon the Gospel scenes to combat Docetism, insisting that Christ’s genuine distress proves a genuine incarnation (Ignatius, Smyrneans 2; Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.19.3). Patristic homilies often paired Gethsemane with pastoral admonitions to endure trials without murmuring. Theological Dimensions of Human Suffering Scripture never presents distress as incompatible with faith. The verb’s limited but strategic usage teaches that profound emotional upheaval can coexist with unwavering trust. It reinforces the doctrine that temptation and sorrow, when met with submission to God, become arenas for manifesting grace (Hebrews 4:15-16). It also guards against Stoic detachment, affirming that redeemed emotions remain fully human while redeemed actions remain fully obedient. Discipleship and Ministry Application 1. Authentic pastoral ministry allows room for anguished prayer. Jesus invited Peter, James, and John to witness His distress, modeling vulnerable fellowship. Homiletical and Devotional Use • Preach Matthew 26:36-46 to highlight the intersection of divine sovereignty and human anguish, encouraging congregations to pray honest prayers. Thus, the three occurrences of this rare verb together form a luminous thread: the suffering Savior, the sacrificial servant, and the sympathetic High Priest who equips His people to bear one another’s burdens until He wipes away every tear. Forms and Transliterations αδημονειν αδημονείν ἀδημονεῖν αδημονων αδημονών ἀδημονῶν ademonein ademoneîn adēmonein adēmoneîn ademonon ademonôn adēmonōn adēmonō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:37 V-PNAGRK: λυπεῖσθαι καὶ ἀδημονεῖν NAS: to be grieved and distressed. KJV: to be sorrowful and very heavy. INT: to be sorrowful and deeply distressed Mark 14:33 V-PNA Philippians 2:26 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 85 |
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