βαστάζω (bastazō)
bastazō
to carry
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb bastazō describes the physical act of taking something up with the hands to carry it, whether that is a stone, a burden, or a person. In the New Testament, this concrete image appears in scenes such as Jesus being carried by his disciples (Mark 14:13) and the crowd picking up stones to throw at him (John 10:31). The word captures the tangible weight of what is being borne, grounding its meaning in physical reality.
Beyond literal transport, bastazō frequently carries metaphorical weight, referring to enduring hardships or sustaining a load. Paul uses it when urging believers to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and when describing the marks of Jesus on his own body as a form of bearing (Galatians 6:17). This usage extends the physical act into spiritual endurance, suggesting that carrying a burden is an active, ongoing responsibility rather than a passive state.
The word also appears in contexts involving removal or theft, such as when Jesus’ disciples are accused of stealing his body (John 20:15) or when Mary Magdalene thinks someone has taken the Lord away (John 12:6). These instances highlight the word’s flexibility, showing it can mean to carry off or take away. Translators often render bastazō as "bear" or "carry," preserving the sense of physical support and endurance that defines its biblical usage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek verb bastazō brings to mind the physical sensation of weight in your hands or on your shoulders. It describes the concrete act of lifting, carrying, or bearing a load. In Scripture, this word moves from simple daily tasks to profound spiritual realities. When Jesus speaks of bearing your cross, He is not speaking of a vague idea but of a tangible, ongoing reality that defines discipleship.
This word invites us into a community where no one carries alone. The call to bear one another’s burdens transforms heavy loads into shared responsibilities. It reminds us that strength is not about independence but about mutual support. When you feel overwhelmed, remember that the faith community exists to help lift what feels too heavy for one person.
Ultimately, this word points to endurance and presence. Whether it is the marks of Jesus on Paul’s body or the simple act of following a man with a pitcher, bastazō shows us that carrying something is an act of commitment. It grounds our faith in the real, physical world where love is shown through action and shared weight.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having borne2×
- will bear.1×
- was being carried,1×
- to tolerate1×
- to carry;1×
- to carry1×
- to bear?1×
- to bear them1×
- to bear1×
- support1×
- is carrying1×
- he will bear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐβάστασας2×
- βαστάσαι2×
- βαστάζετε2×
- βαστάζειν2×
- Ἐβάστασαν1×
- ἐβάστασεν.¶1×
- ἐβάσταζεν.¶1×
- ἐβαστάζετο,1×
- βαστάσει.1×
- βαστάσει1×
- βαστάσασά1×
- βαστάσασιν1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
This verse defines the communal ethic of the church by explicitly linking the act of carrying burdens to the fulfillment of Christ's law.
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Luke 14:27
Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple.
Here the word establishes the non-negotiable cost of discipleship, framing it as a personal responsibility to bear one's own cross.
-
John 19:17
He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”,
This historical account grounds the metaphor of bearing a cross in the physical reality of Jesus’ suffering and obedience.
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Romans 15:1
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Paul uses this term to describe how spiritual maturity requires actively supporting the vulnerabilities of others rather than seeking self-pleasure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does bastazō mean in the New Testament?
How is bastazō different from other words for carrying?
Where does this word appear in relation to community life?
Every Occurrence (27 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 3 verses
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not…
Matthew 8:17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our…
Matthew 20:12saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and…