ἀνακράζω (anakrazō)
anakrazō
to yell
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anakrazō describes raising a loud cry from the depth of the throat. It is not a casual call but an intense, often desperate shout. In the New Testament, it appears only five times, primarily in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, where it captures moments of high emotion or spiritual conflict.
Its force comes from its parts: ana ("up" or "again") and krazaō ("to cry"). This suggests a cry that rises up with power. The sources note it is used for demons shouting in recognition of Jesus (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33), for people crying out in fear (Mark 6:49), and for the crowd demanding release (Luke 23:18). It conveys urgency rather than polite request.
Translators usually render it "cry out" or "shout." This choice preserves the raw volume and intensity of the original Greek. The word highlights the overwhelming nature of the situation, whether driven by fear, recognition, or anger. It shows how deeply people react when confronted with divine power or crisis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anakrazō describes a cry that rises from the very depths of the throat. It is not a polite request or a casual call for attention. Instead, it captures moments of intense emotion, whether driven by fear, recognition of divine power, or deep distress. In the Gospels, this loud shout often marks a turning point where the spiritual reality breaks into human experience.
When you encounter situations that feel overwhelming or chaotic, remember that God hears even the loudest cries. The demons in Mark and Luke shouted to acknowledge Jesus’ authority, while the disciples cried out in fear on the stormy sea. Your own urgent prayers are met with the same attentive presence. You do not need to filter your emotions or soften your voice to be heard by Him.
This word reminds us that honesty before God is always welcome. Whether you are facing a crisis, feeling afraid, or simply overwhelmed by life’s demands, lifting your voice in prayer is an act of faith. He is not startled by your urgency; He meets you there with grace and strength for the moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he cried out2×
- having cried out1×
- cried out;1×
- They cried out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνέκραξεν2×
- ἀνέκραξαν·1×
- ἀνέκραγον1×
- ἀνακράξας1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 1:23
Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
The unclean spirit’s shout reveals that demonic forces recognize Jesus’ authority even when humans do not yet fully understand it.
-
Luke 8:28
When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!”
The demoniac’s loud cry and physical act of falling down show a desperate recognition of Jesus’ power to deliver from torment.
-
Mark 6:49
but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
The disciples’ shout in the storm highlights how fear can distort perception, making them mistake Jesus for a ghost until He speaks peace.