ἀποδημέω (apodēmeō)
apodēmeō
to go abroad
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apodēmeō describes the act of going abroad or traveling to a foreign land. Its meaning is straightforward: it denotes leaving one’s home region for distant places. This term appears in six verses across the Synoptic Gospels, providing context for stories where characters are physically separated from their communities.
The word combines a prefix indicating separation with a root related to being at home or in the country. In Scripture, it often sets the stage for narratives about stewardship and absence. For instance, Jesus uses this concept when describing a master who goes on a journey before entrusting his servants with responsibilities (Matthew 25:14-15). Similarly, it appears in the parable of the prodigal son, where the younger son departs for a distant country to squander his inheritance (Luke 15:13).
Translators typically render apodēmeō as "go abroad," "travel," or "be away." The term emphasizes physical distance rather than spiritual condition. It serves as a narrative device, marking the period of absence during which characters must make choices without direct supervision from their leaders or families.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apodēmeō simply means to go abroad or travel to a distant land. In the Gospels, it often marks a shift in the story where a master leaves his home and enters another country. This physical absence creates a space for trust and responsibility. When Jesus uses this term, He is not just describing a trip; He is setting up a situation where His followers must act faithfully without His immediate physical presence.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that we are often called to steward what has been entrusted to us during seasons of waiting or separation. Whether you are caring for a family member away from home, managing responsibilities at work while a leader is absent, or simply navigating a period of personal transition, God is present with you. You do not need to see the full picture to be faithful in the moment.
These stories invite us to consider how we use our time and resources when no one is watching closely. The emphasis is on faithfulness in the interim. By staying grounded in prayer and obedience, we can find peace even when circumstances feel distant or uncertain. This word encourages us to view periods of absence not as a lack of care, but as an opportunity to grow in trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- went away1×
- went abroad1×
- traveled abroad1×
- he traveled abroad.1×
- he left the region.1×
- going on a journey1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπεδήμησεν3×
- ἀπεδήμησεν.2×
- ἀποδημῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:14
“For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them.
This verse introduces the parable of the talents by establishing the master's departure, which is the necessary condition for testing the servants' stewardship.
-
Luke 15:13
Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
Here the term highlights the younger son's deliberate choice to leave his family structure and enter a sphere where he would face the consequences of his own decisions.
-
Matthew 21:33
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a wine press in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country.
The master going into another country sets the stage for the tenants' rebellion, showing how absence can sometimes reveal the true state of a heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does apodēmeō mean in the Bible?
Where does this word appear in the Gospels?
How is it different from other words for traveling?
Why is this word important in Jesus' parables?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Matthew 3 verses
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it,…
Matthew 25:14“For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them.
Matthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his…