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ἀποσυνάγωγος (aposunagōgos)

aposunagōgos

excommunicated

G0656 · Greek · New Testament · 3 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective aposynagōgos describes a person who has been formally expelled from the Jewish synagogue community. Derived from the preposition apo ("away from") and synagōgē ("assembly"), it literally means "taken out of the gathering." In the New Testament, this term refers to the official act of excommunication, where an individual is cut off from the religious and social life of their faith community.

This harsh penalty appears three times in the Gospel of John, highlighting the intense pressure faced by early believers. In John 9:22, the parents of the healed blind man fear this fate, while John 12:42 notes that many officials believed in Jesus but kept it secret because they loved human praise more than risking exclusion. Jesus also warns his disciples in John 16:2 that those who kill believers will think they are offering service to God, unaware that such violence stems from a zeal that excludes the very Messiah.

The word carries significant social weight, as synagogue membership in the first century was not merely religious but also defined one's standing in the wider civic world. To be aposynagōgos meant losing access to worship, legal protection, and community support. This term underscores the high cost of discipleship during a time when identifying with Jesus could mean total social ostracization.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word aposynagōgos describes the painful experience of being cut off from one’s community. In the first century, this was not just a religious penalty but a social exile that removed a person from their support network and civic standing. For early believers, following Jesus could mean losing family ties and legal protection.

This reality helps us understand the courage required by those who confessed Christ despite the risk. When we face rejection today, we are reminded that our true belonging is found in God’s family, not in human approval. The fear of exclusion is real, but it does not define our worth or our future.

May you find comfort in knowing that no earthly ban can separate you from the love of Christ. Your identity is secure in Him, regardless of how others may treat you.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • put out of the synagogue1×
  • expelled from the synagogue1×
  • Out of the synagogues1×

Forms in the text

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

  • ἀποσυνάγωγος1×
  • ἀποσυνάγωγοι1×
  • ἀποσυναγώγους1×

Key Verses

  • John 9:22
    His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

    This verse shows how the threat of exclusion silenced the parents of the healed blind man, highlighting the social pressure to deny Jesus.

  • John 12:42
    Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue,

    Here, even believing leaders kept their faith secret because they valued human praise more than risking their place in the synagogue.

  • John 16:2
    They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.

    Jesus warns that zeal can lead to violence, as some will think expelling believers is a service to God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does aposynagōgos mean?

It is a Greek adjective meaning 'excommunicated' or 'put out of the synagogue.' It describes someone who has been formally expelled from the Jewish community, losing both religious and social standing.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears three times in the Gospel of John: in John 9:22, John 12:42, and John 16:2. In each case, it refers to the fear or reality of being excluded for following Jesus.

Why was excommunication so serious?

In the first century, synagogue membership provided legal protection, community support, and social identity. Being expelled meant losing these essential aspects of life, making it a severe penalty beyond just religious discipline.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

John 3 verses
John 9:22

His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would…

John 12:42

Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that…

John 16:2

They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers…