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ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai)

aperchomai

to go away

G0565 · Greek · New Testament · 118 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
118 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb aperchomai simply means to go away or depart. It describes the physical act of leaving a place, person, or situation. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in narrative sections to mark transitions. For example, Jesus often uses it to describe moving from one location to another, such as when he goes away to pray (Mark 1:35) or when disciples leave their nets to follow him (Mark 1:20). The word provides a clear, unadorned record of movement.

Its meaning extends beyond mere travel. It can indicate following someone, as seen when crowds go after Jesus (John 12:19), or it can describe the removal of something, like evil spirits departing from a person (Mark 5:17). The prefix apo- suggests separation, emphasizing that the subject is moving away from their starting point. This basic sense of departure allows it to cover various contexts, from casual walks to significant life changes.

Translators typically render aperchomai as "go," "depart," or "went." While simple, its frequent use in the Gospels highlights the mobility of Jesus and his followers. It grounds the spiritual narrative in physical reality, showing that faith often involves moving from one place to another. The word’s straightforward nature makes it a reliable marker for understanding the flow of biblical events.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek word ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai) simply means to go away or depart. It appears frequently in the Gospels to mark transitions, such as Jesus withdrawing to pray or crowds following Him. This basic sense of movement grounds the spiritual narrative in physical reality, showing that faith often involves leaving one place for another.

For your daily life, this word reminds us that change is a natural part of our journey with God. Whether you are stepping into a new season or leaving behind old habits, God is present in both the staying and the going. His guidance helps us navigate these shifts with peace and purpose.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 118 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • having gone away13×
  • having gone10×
  • went away7×
  • they went away5×
  • went4×
  • he went away4×
  • he departed4×
  • departed4×
  • He departed4×
  • to depart3×
  • Went away3×
  • Having gone3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἀπῆλθεν32×
  • ἀπελθὼν16×
  • ἀπῆλθον13×
  • ἀπελθόντες9×
  • ἀπελθεῖν7×
  • ἀπῆλθεν.4×
  • ἀπῆλθεν·2×
  • ἀπῆλθεν.¶2×
  • ἀπῆλθαν.¶2×
  • ἀπέλθητε2×
  • ἀπελθοῦσαι2×
  • ἀπελθεῖν.2×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 8:18
    Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

    This verse shows Jesus actively directing His movement, highlighting His authority over His own path and mission.

  • Matthew 19:22
    But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

    The young man's departure illustrates how attachment to worldly wealth can lead to sorrowful separation from spiritual opportunity.

  • Matthew 16:4
    An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them and departed.

    Jesus' act of leaving the generation emphasizes His refusal to perform signs for those who remain stubbornly unfaithful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai) mean?

It is a Greek verb that simply means to go away, depart, or leave. It describes the physical act of moving from one place or person to another.

How is it different from other Greek words for going?

While words like erchomai mean 'to come' or 'to go,' aperchomai specifically emphasizes the separation or departure from a starting point. It focuses on the act of leaving.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears 118 times in the New Testament, mostly in the Gospels. You can find it in passages like Matthew 8:18 and Mark 1:35, where Jesus or His followers are moving from one location to another.

Every Occurrence (118 verses across 10 books)

Matthew 34 verses
Matthew 2:22

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there.…

Matthew 4:24

The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases…

Matthew 5:30

If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you…

Matthew 8:18

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

Matthew 8:19

A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Matthew 8:21

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

Matthew 8:32

He said to them, “Go!” They came out and went into the herd of pigs; and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the…

Matthew 8:33

Those who fed them fled and went away into the city and told everything, including what happened to those who were…

Matthew 9:7

He arose and departed to his house.

Matthew 10:5

Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of…

Matthew 13:25

but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away.

Matthew 13:28

“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’

Matthew 13:46

who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 14:15

When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…

Matthew 14:16

But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 16:4

An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the…

Matthew 16:21

From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…

Matthew 18:30

He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.

Matthew 19:22

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

Matthew 21:29

He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.

Matthew 21:30

He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.

Matthew 22:5

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

Matthew 22:22

When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away.

Matthew 25:10

While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and…

Matthew 25:18

But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.

Matthew 25:25

I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’

Matthew 25:46

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 26:36

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…

Matthew 26:42

Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…

Matthew 26:44

He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

Matthew 27:5

He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Matthew 27:60

and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the…

Matthew 28:8

They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

Matthew 28:10

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will…

Mark 23 verses
Luke 21 verses
John 21 verses
Acts 7 verses
Romans 1 verse
Galatians 1 verse
James 1 verse
Jude 1 verse
Revelation of John 8 verses