ἀνάβλεψις (anablepsis)
anablepsis
recovery of sight
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun anablepsis refers to the restoration of vision, specifically the act of seeing again after a period of blindness. It is not merely the physical opening of eyes, but the recovery of the ability to perceive light and form. This term appears only once in the New Testament, located in Luke 4:18.
In this passage, Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah, declaring that the Spirit has anointed Him to preach good news to the poor and to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. The word captures a tangible hope for those excluded by their condition, signaling a reversal of isolation through restored connection with the world.
Its root combines a prefix indicating upward movement or renewal with the verb for seeing. This etymology suggests that the healing is not just functional but restorative, bringing the person back into full participation in community life. The singular occurrence highlights its significance as a key marker of the Messiah’s mission to heal and restore.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anablepsis describes more than just a medical cure; it signifies a complete return to seeing and participating in life. In Luke 4:18, Jesus announces this recovery of sight as a central part of His mission. This promise extends beyond physical healing to include the restoration of hope for those who feel isolated or unable to perceive the way forward.
When you face moments where clarity seems lost, this term reminds you that God specializes in bringing light back into dark places. It is an invitation to trust that He can restore your vision, whether that means understanding a difficult situation or simply seeing His goodness again. This restoration allows you to rejoin the community of faith with renewed purpose and joy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- recovery of sight,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνάβλεψιν,1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,
This verse establishes anablepsis as a defining mark of the Messiah's anointing, linking spiritual liberation directly to the restoration of physical sight.