ἀπαίρω (apairō)
apairō
to take away
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apairō means to lift off or carry something away. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, all in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:35). The sources note its primary sense is physical removal, derived from the prefix apo ("away") and airō ("to lift").
Its most notable usage occurs when Jesus speaks of his impending departure. He says the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away (apairthēsetai). Here, the word conveys a sudden removal or withdrawal from presence. The passive form emphasizes that this action happens to him, not by his own choice in that moment.
This term does not appear in the Pauline epistles or other New Testament writings. Its limited occurrence highlights its specific role in describing Jesus' future absence before his return. Translators typically render it "taken away" or "removed," capturing the sense of being lifted from a current location or state.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apairō describes a physical removal, lifting something or someone away from their current place. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to describe his own impending departure. He tells his friends that while he is present, there is joy and celebration, but a time will come when he is taken away.
This reality offers comfort in seasons of loss. It acknowledges that absence is part of the human experience, even for those closest to Jesus. The promise embedded in this word is not just the pain of separation, but the hope of return. When we face times when loved ones are gone or circumstances change, we can trust that God holds the timeline.
Christians find strength in knowing that this removal was temporary. The same Jesus who was taken away returned to life, offering hope that separation is not the final word. This perspective helps us endure difficult seasons with patience and faith, looking forward to the day when all things are made new.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may have been taken away2×
- may be taken away1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπαρθῇ3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 9:15
Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
This verse establishes the contrast between Jesus' present presence and his future absence, framing the disciples' expected change in behavior.
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Mark 2:20
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Mark emphasizes the inevitability of this event with 'in that day,' highlighting a specific future time of mourning following Jesus' departure.
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Luke 5:35
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”
Luke’s account reinforces the certainty of this removal, linking the act of fasting directly to the period after Jesus is taken away.