ἀποκαθίστημι (apokathistēmi)
apokathistēmi
to restore
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apokathistēmi means to restore something or someone to their former condition. It appears eight times in the New Testament, with a notable concentration in the Synoptic Gospels where it describes physical healing and social restoration.
In passages like Matthew 12:13 and Mark 3:5, Jesus uses this word when healing a man’s withered hand, emphasizing a return to full function. It also appears in Luke 6:10 and Mark 8:25 for similar acts of bodily restoration. Beyond physical health, the term applies to social or political states, as seen in Matthew 17:11 regarding Elijah’s role.
Its root combines apo (“back”) and histēmi (“to stand”), literally meaning “to stand back.” This etymology highlights a complete reinstatement rather than a partial fix. The word conveys wholeness, restoring what was lost or damaged to its original intended state.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word apokathistēmi carries a sense of complete reinstatement, drawing from roots meaning 'to stand back' into a former state. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term when healing a withered hand or restoring sight, showing that God’s power brings wholeness rather than partial fixes. This is not merely about symptom relief but returning someone to their intended design.
For your faith, this offers deep comfort. When life feels broken or diminished, the same God who restored physical health in Scripture also restores your soul. Whether you face illness, relational strain, or spiritual fatigue, His work aims at full restoration. You are not beyond repair; He brings you back to standing firmly in His grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was restored2×
- will restore1×
- restores1×
- it was restored1×
- he restored1×
- are you restoring1×
- I may be restored1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπεκατεστάθη3×
- ἀποκαταστήσει1×
- ἀποκατασταθῶ1×
- ἀποκαθιστάνεις1×
- ἀποκαθιστάνει1×
- ἀπεκατέστη1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 12:13
Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
This verse shows the word describing a hand restored 'whole,' emphasizing complete functional recovery rather than temporary relief.
-
Mark 3:5
When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
Here the restoration follows Jesus’ anger at hardened hearts, linking physical healing with the deeper need for spiritual openness.
-
Acts 1:6
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
The disciples ask about restoring the kingdom to Israel, revealing how the term applies to national and political reinstatement.
-
Hebrews 13:19
I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.
Paul uses this word personally, asking to be restored to the believers, showing its application to relational reconciliation.