ἀναβαίνω (anabainō)
anabainō
to ascend
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 78 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anabainō describes the physical act of going up or ascending, a meaning it shares with its Hebrew counterpart in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, this movement is frequently directed toward Jerusalem, as when Jesus tells his disciples they are traveling to the city (Matthew 20:17), or when he climbs into a boat to cross the water (Mark 6:51). The word captures simple vertical motion, whether a person walking up a hill or boarding a vessel.
Its usage extends beyond human movement to include natural phenomena and abstract concepts. Plants are described as growing up from the earth in parables (Matthew 13:7), while smoke rises from an altar in apocalyptic visions (Revelation 8:4). It also applies to thoughts or memories surfacing in the mind, such as when Jesus reminds his followers that his words should come back to them after he departs (Luke 24:38).
The term appears most often in Acts and the Gospels of John and Luke. Its range covers literal ascent, such as climbing a sycamore tree to see Jesus (Luke 19:4), as well as metaphorical rising, like prayers ascending before God (Acts 10:4). This versatility allows it to describe both the tangible journey of travelers and the spiritual elevation of worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word anabainō simply means to go up or ascend. In the New Testament, this action appears frequently as Jesus and his followers travel toward Jerusalem. These journeys are not just physical movements; they mark pivotal moments in salvation history. When Jesus goes up to the mountain to pray, it shows a pattern of seeking the Father before facing the world. This reminds us that spiritual clarity often comes from stepping away from the noise to be alone with God.
We also see this word used for ordinary people climbing trees or boats rising from water. It suggests that God is present in our daily movements, not just in grand miracles. Whether you are navigating a difficult season or simply walking through your day, your steps matter. The text invites us to see our own lives as part of a larger story where heaven and earth meet.
This simple verb teaches us about direction. We move upward toward God, who descends toward us. It is a reminder that we are never alone in our journeys. Our paths lead us closer to the heart of Jesus, who walked these roads for us. This gives hope to anyone feeling lost or tired on their way.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 78 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- went up11×
- having gone up4×
- going up4×
- He went up4×
- we go up3×
- do come up3×
- I went up3×
- to go up2×
- they went up2×
- he went up2×
- having come up2×
- grew up2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνέβη20×
- ἀνέβησαν10×
- ἀναβὰς7×
- ἀναβαίνων4×
- ἀνέβην3×
- ἀναβαίνοντα3×
- ἀναβαίνομεν3×
- ἀναβαίνειν3×
- ἀναβαίνει3×
- ἀνέβη,2×
- ἀναβάντα2×
- ἀναβαῖνον2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 20:17
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, framing his upcoming suffering as a deliberate ascent toward his mission.
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Luke 5:19
Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the middle before Jesus.
Here the word describes friends climbing to a roof to lower a paralyzed man, showing how physical effort can serve faith and healing.
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Matthew 3:16
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
Jesus coming up from the water signals the start of his public ministry and the divine confirmation of his identity.
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Luke 9:28
About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.
This ascent to the mountain precedes the Transfiguration, linking physical elevation with spiritual revelation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does anabainō mean in the Bible?
Why does Jesus often go up a mountain in the Gospels?
Is anabainō used only for people?
How is this word different from other Greek words for going?
Every Occurrence (78 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 9 verses
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the…
Matthew 5:1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Matthew 13:7Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
Matthew 14:23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was…
Matthew 14:32When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 15:29Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there.
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 20:17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Matthew 20:18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they…