ἀποσπάω (apospaō)
apospaō
to draw away
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apospaō describes the physical act of drawing something off or tearing it away with force. Its components suggest a pulling motion away from an original position, capturing the violence of separation rather than a gentle release. In Scripture, this word appears in only four verses, each highlighting a sudden and decisive rupture.
Two key instances illustrate its intensity. In Matthew 26:51, Peter uses it to describe drawing a sword from its sheath, emphasizing the abruptness of the action. Similarly, Acts 20:30 speaks of false teachers who seek to draw disciples away from the truth, using the term to convey a forceful pulling that threatens to detach believers from their foundation.
The word also appears in Luke 22:41, where Jesus withdraws from his disciples about a stone's throw. Here, the meaning shifts slightly to being parted or withdrawn, yet it retains the sense of distance created by movement. This usage shows how the term can describe physical separation as well as relational or spiritual detachment.
Translators often render apospaō as "draw away" or "tear," depending on context. The consistency lies in the idea of forceful removal. Whether referring to a weapon, a person, or truth itself, the word underscores the power required to break what was once joined.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word apospaō carries a sense of forceful separation, often implying a sudden pull away from something held or joined. In the Gospels, we see this vividly when Peter draws his sword in the garden, an act that highlights how quickly violence can rupture peace. It reminds us that some breaks are abrupt and require immediate attention, rather than gradual drifting.
Yet the word also appears in Acts 20:30 to describe false teachers trying to pull disciples away from the truth. This usage warns us about spiritual detachment, showing how easily we can be drawn off course by persuasive but harmful ideas. It invites us to hold fast to what is true, recognizing that our faith requires steady grounding against forces that seek to tear us loose.
Even in Luke 22:41, Jesus withdraws from His disciples, creating physical distance for prayer. This shows that separation isn't always negative; sometimes it is necessary for intimacy with God. Whether facing external threats or internal doubts, we can trust that God holds us together even when circumstances pull us apart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- withdrew1×
- to draw away1×
- having drawn away1×
- drew1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπέσπασεν1×
- ἀποσπᾶν1×
- ἀποσπασθέντας1×
- ἀπεσπάσθη1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 26:51
Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
This verse captures the physical violence of drawing a weapon, illustrating the word's root meaning of forceful removal in a moment of crisis.
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Acts 20:30
Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Here the term describes a spiritual danger, where leaders attempt to pull believers away from the truth through perverse teachings.
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Luke 22:41
He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,
Jesus uses this concept to describe withdrawing physically for prayer, showing that separation can be a deliberate act of seeking God.