ἀπάγω (apagō)
apagō
to lead away
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apagō literally means to lead away, but in the New Testament it carries a heavy legal weight. It describes the act of taking someone into custody, often for trial or punishment. This usage reflects its background in Attic Greek law, where it referred specifically to leading a person before authorities.
Its most striking occurrences appear in the Passion narratives. The Gospels use it to describe how Jesus was led away to Pilate (Matthew 27:2) and later taken to be crucified (Mark 15:16). Luke also records its use when Paul is led away to prison (Acts 23:17), showing the word applies equally to the suffering of the apostle.
While it can simply indicate direction, as in leading a way (Matthew 7:13-14), this neutral sense is rare. The sources emphasize its association with confinement and judgment. Translators typically render it "led away" or "took him away," preserving the idea of removal from freedom into the hands of power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apagō describes being led away from one place into the custody of another. In the New Testament, it often carries a heavy legal weight, describing how Jesus was taken to Pilate or crucified. It reminds us that even in moments of profound isolation and powerlessness, God remains present. The suffering of Christ was not hidden; it was a deliberate movement toward redemption.
For believers facing persecution or unjust treatment, this word offers a strange comfort. When you feel led away from your rights or your safety, you are not abandoned. Paul was also led away to prison, yet he continued to write letters that would shape the church for centuries. Your current circumstances do not define your final destination.
There is also a simpler side to this word. It can describe leading an animal to water or choosing a path. This reminds us that daily life involves small acts of guidance and direction. Whether you are walking toward destruction or life, the One who leads you knows the way. You are held in hands that are stronger than any power trying to take you away.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they led away3×
- led away2×
- is leading2×
- to be led away [to death],1×
- they led away [Him]1×
- they led [him] away;1×
- led [Him] away1×
- leading [you]1×
- having led [it] away1×
- do take1×
- do lead [him] away1×
- being carried away.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπήγαγον7×
- ἀπάγουσα2×
- ἀπήγαγον·1×
- ἀπήγαγε,1×
- ἀπάγετε1×
- ἀπάγαγε1×
- ἀπαχθῆναι,1×
- ἀπαγόμενοι.1×
- ἀπαγομένους1×
- ἀπαγαγὼν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:2
They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
This verse captures the legal weight of the word as Jesus is formally handed over to Roman authority, highlighting the transition from private arrest to public judgment.
-
Mark 15:16
The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
Here the soldiers lead Jesus into the Praetorium, emphasizing the physical confinement and the humiliation of being isolated within a military courtyard.
-
Acts 23:17
Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”
Paul’s request to be led away to the commanding officer shows how the apostle used this process of removal to protect the gospel message from a conspiracy.
-
Matthew 7:14
How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
This rare neutral usage contrasts the broad path with the narrow way, showing the word can simply indicate direction rather than custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does apagō mean in the New Testament?
How is apagō different from other words for leading?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 5 verses
“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many…
Matthew 7:14How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
Matthew 26:57Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered…
Matthew 27:2They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
Matthew 27:31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.