ἀδημονέω (adēmoneō)
adēmoneō
be distressed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb adēmoneō describes a state of deep distress or agitation, often translated as being "troubled" or "grieved." It conveys more than simple sadness; it suggests an inner turmoil that weighs heavily on the soul. In the New Testament, this word appears in only three verses, all within the narrative of Jesus’ final hours before his arrest.
Its usage highlights the intensity of human emotion in the face of impending suffering. Jesus uses it to describe his own spirit as "deeply grieved" (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33), revealing a profound anguish that accompanies his mission. Later, Paul notes that his friends were similarly distressed over his illness (Philippians 2:26), showing how this term captures the shared anxiety of believers facing crisis.
The word’s root relates to being sated or overwhelmed to the point of loathing, suggesting a pressure so great it becomes burdensome. Translators typically render it as "troubled" or "grieved," preserving the sense of emotional weight rather than mere fear. This specific vocabulary allows readers to grasp the visceral reality of Jesus’ humanity and the genuine concern felt by those around him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face moments that feel too heavy to bear, Jesus understands. In the garden before his arrest, he did not hide his pain or pretend everything was fine. Instead, he let his closest friends see him deeply distressed. This shows us that bringing our raw, unfiltered emotions to God is not a sign of weak faith, but an honest act of trust.
The same word appears when Paul’s friend Epaphroditus grew ill and the Philippian church worried about him. Their distress was not selfish; it was genuine love for a brother in Christ. Your anxiety does not disqualify you from God’s presence. He meets you in your turmoil, just as he met Jesus in his, offering peace that surpasses understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to be deeply distressed.2×
- being deeply distressed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀδημονῶν1×
- ἀδημονεῖν.¶1×
- ἀδημονεῖν.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:37
He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
This verse captures the depth of Jesus' human anguish before his crucifixion, validating our own feelings of overwhelm.
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Mark 14:33
He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.
Here the word emphasizes the intense inner turmoil Jesus experienced as he faced the weight of the cross.
-
Philippians 2:26
since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.
Paul uses this term to describe Epaphroditus' distress, showing how genuine concern for others can cause deep emotional pain.