αἴρω (airō)
airō
to take up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 99 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb airō carries the basic sense of lifting or taking up, but in Scripture it often implies removing something from its place. While it can describe a simple physical action, like raising a stone or drawing up an anchor (Acts 27:17), it frequently points to bearing a burden or carrying something away. Jesus uses this range of meaning when he tells his followers to take up their cross, suggesting both the act of lifting and the responsibility of carrying (Matthew 16:24).
A significant theological weight rests on its usage regarding sin. In John 1:29, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the one who takes away the sin of the world. Here, airō does not merely mean to lift up for display; it signifies removal and expiation. This sense is reinforced in 1 John 3:5, where Christ’s appearance is linked to the removal of sin, highlighting a decisive act of cleansing rather than just physical movement.
The word also appears in contexts of forceful removal or dismissal. In John 19:15, the crowd demands that Pilate take away Jesus, using airō to express a desire for his removal from power and life. Similarly, in Matthew 21:21, Jesus speaks of moving mountains, where the verb conveys the idea of uprooting or taking away an obstacle entirely. This versatility allows the term to bridge physical lifting with spiritual removal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word airō invites us to see faith as both lifting and letting go. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus asks his followers to take up their cross. This is not just a physical burden but a daily choice to align our lives with his path. It suggests that following him requires active participation, carrying the weight of discipleship with purpose rather than avoiding it.
Yet this same word also brings profound comfort through removal. John 1:29 describes Jesus as the one who takes away the sin of the world. Here, airō moves beyond simple lifting to signify a complete clearing away of guilt and separation. It promises that we do not have to carry the heavy load of our past mistakes alone; they are removed by grace.
When life feels overwhelming, remember this dual promise. You are called to take up your daily responsibilities with strength, but you are also invited to lay down the weight of sin and shame. This balance allows us to walk forward with hope, knowing that what burdens us is lifted, while what strengthens us is held.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 99 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do take8×
- do take up6×
- they took up5×
- having taken up5×
- will be taken away4×
- to take4×
- takes away3×
- he should take up3×
- took you up?2×
- tears away2×
- taking away2×
- lifted up2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἦραν11×
- αἴρει8×
- ἆρον7×
- ἦρεν6×
- ἄρατε6×
- ἄρας6×
- ἀρθήσεται6×
- ἆραι5×
- ἄρῃ3×
- ἀράτω3×
- αἶρε3×
- ἤρθη2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
This verse defines discipleship as an active choice to bear one's own cross, linking the physical act of carrying with spiritual commitment.
-
Mark 2:11
“I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”
The command to take up the mat serves as visible proof of Jesus' authority to forgive sins, connecting spiritual healing with tangible action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does airō mean in John 1:29?
How is taking up a cross different from just carrying a burden?
Why does Jesus use this word for both sin and crosses?
Every Occurrence (99 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 20 verses
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels…
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse…
Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 13:12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken…
Matthew 14:12His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Matthew 14:20They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
Matthew 15:37They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and…
Matthew 17:27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have…
Matthew 20:14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…
Matthew 21:43“Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…
Matthew 24:17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house.
Matthew 24:18Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.
Matthew 24:39and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 25:28Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
Matthew 25:29For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he…
Matthew 27:32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might…