ἀνάγω (anagō)
anagō
to lead
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anagō carries the core sense of leading or bringing something upward, whether physically or metaphorically. Its components suggest movement from a lower place to a higher one, which explains its varied usage in Scripture. In the Gospels, it describes concrete actions like being led up to a high mountain (Matthew 4:1) or brought into the temple courts (Luke 2:22), grounding the word in tangible spatial movement.
A striking shift occurs in Acts and Hebrews, where anagō takes on a theological weight by describing God’s power to raise the dead. Romans 10:7 and Hebrews 13:20 use it for Christ being brought up from the dead, transforming the physical act of ascent into a statement about divine victory over death. This usage highlights the word’s capacity to bridge earthly geography with spiritual reality.
The sources also note a frequent nautical application in Acts, where ships are launched or set sail. This practical maritime sense appears repeatedly in Paul’s travel narratives (Acts 13:13; 20:13), showing how the same root can describe both the launching of vessels and the offering of sacrifices (Acts 7:41). The word consistently implies a deliberate transition from one state or location to another, often with a sense of purposeful elevation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anagō paints a picture of purposeful movement from one place to another, often involving an upward direction or a significant transition. In the Gospels, we see Jesus led up into the wilderness and later brought to Jerusalem, showing that His journey was guided by divine timing rather than chance. This physical leading mirrors a deeper spiritual truth: God actively directs the path of those who follow Him.
While the term frequently describes practical actions like launching a ship or bringing someone into a home, its most profound use appears in the New Testament’s testimony to the resurrection. Romans and Hebrews employ this word to describe how God brought Christ up from the dead, transforming a simple act of ascent into a declaration of victory over death. This reminds us that our faith rests on a God who leads His people through every season.
Whether you are navigating the uncertainties of travel or the quiet moments of daily life, this word encourages trust in God’s guidance. He does not leave us to wander aimlessly but leads us with intention. As we face our own journeys, we can rest in the assurance that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in our lives today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Having sailed2×
- we set sail.1×
- we set sail —1×
- we set out1×
- was led up1×
- to set sail1×
- to sail1×
- to have set sail1×
- to bring up.1×
- to bring out1×
- they launched out.1×
- they brought [him]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνήχθημεν3×
- ἀνήγαγον3×
- Ἀναχθέντες2×
- ἀνήχθη2×
- ἀνάγεσθαι2×
- ἀναχθῆναι2×
- ἀναγαγὼν2×
- ἀνήχθησαν.1×
- ἀνήχθημεν.1×
- ἀναχθέντες1×
- ἀναγομένοις1×
- ἀναγαγών1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
This verse establishes the pattern of divine guidance, showing Jesus being led by the Spirit into a place of testing.
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Romans 10:7
or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)”
Here the word carries heavy theological weight, referring to God’s act of bringing Christ up from the dead.
-
Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
The author uses this term to praise the God who raised Jesus, linking the concept of leading with eternal covenant power.
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Acts 13:13
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
This occurrence highlights the practical nautical sense of the word as Paul’s team sets sail for their missionary journey.