ἀνασείω (anaseiō)
anaseiō
to incite
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anaseiō describes a physical shaking that translates into stirring up or inciting people. Its root imagery involves moving something to and fro, much like shaking out dust or agitating a crowd until they are restless. In the New Testament, this action is directed toward groups of people rather than individuals.
It appears only twice, both in the passion narratives where it describes the manipulation of public sentiment. Mark 15:11 records the chief priests stirring up the crowd against Jesus, while Luke 23:5 notes how the accusers incited the mob with their accusations. The word captures the volatile energy of a group being roused to action.
Translators typically render this as "stir up" or "incite," reflecting its forceful nature. Unlike terms for gentle persuasion, anaseiō implies a rough, agitating influence that disrupts calm and drives people toward a specific, often hostile, outcome.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaseiō paints a vivid picture of unrest, describing how leaders can manipulate public sentiment through agitation rather than truth. In the Gospels, it captures the moment when calm crowds are roused into hostility by those with hidden agendas. This reminds us that not all noise in our lives comes from genuine conviction; sometimes it is manufactured to serve someone else’s interests.
When we encounter conflict or division today, this word invites us to pause and discern the source of the stir. It encourages a spirit of peace, recognizing that true leadership does not rely on stirring up anger but on speaking truth with grace. We are called to be peacemakers who do not add fuel to the fire but instead offer clarity and calm in turbulent times.
May you find strength in remaining steady when others seek to agitate. Let your heart be anchored in Christ, the Prince of Peace, so that you may respond to chaos with wisdom and love rather than fear or anger.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stirred up1×
- He stirs up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνέσεισαν1×
- ἀνασείει1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 15:11
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
This verse highlights how religious leaders used agitation to manipulate the crowd's choice, showing the word's use in political manipulation.
-
Luke 23:5
But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
Here the accusers use the same concept ironically, claiming Jesus stirs up people, which contrasts their malicious intent with His peaceful teaching.