γνωρίζω (gnōrizō)
gnōrizō
to make known
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb gnōrizō means to make something known or to bring it into the open for others to see. In the New Testament, it is most often used in the active voice when a person reveals a truth or an event to another. Jesus uses this word to describe his intimate relationship with his disciples, stating that he has made known to them everything he heard from the Father (John 15:15). This usage highlights a shift from hidden knowledge to shared understanding, emphasizing transparency and trust between the revealer and the receiver.
While its root relates to knowing, the focus here is on the act of disclosure rather than the internal state of cognition. It appears frequently in Paul’s letters to describe the revelation of divine mysteries, such as when he speaks of making known the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:3) or the gospel itself (1 Corinthians 15:1). The word also carries a sense of identification, as seen when angels announce the birth of Jesus so that people might know whom they have found (Luke 2:15). Translators typically render it as "make known," "declare," or "show," capturing the deliberate action of unveiling what was previously unknown.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gnōrizō reminds us that God does not keep His heart hidden. In John 15:15, Jesus calls His followers friends because He has made known to them everything He heard from the Father. This is an invitation into intimacy. When we read Scripture or pray, we are participating in this same act of disclosure. The divine secrets of love and grace are not locked away but shared openly with those who listen.
This transparency builds trust between God and His people. It means we do not need to guess what He wants; He actively reveals His will and His character. Whether through the apostles’ letters or the quiet promptings of the Spirit, God makes known the path of life and the hope of glory. We can rest in the fact that He desires our understanding, not our confusion.
As you face uncertainty this week, remember that clarity comes from Him. You are invited to bring your requests to God in prayer, knowing He will make His peace known to you. Let the assurance of His revealed love calm your anxious thoughts and fill your heart with gratitude for the light He has already given.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to make known3×
- I make known3×
- will make known2×
- will make [it] known,1×
- we have made known1×
- was made known1×
- they will make known1×
- they made known1×
- should be made known1×
- may be made known1×
- having made known1×
- has made known1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγνώρισα2×
- ἐγνωρίσθη2×
- γνωρίσει2×
- γνωρίσαι2×
- Γνωρίζω2×
- ἐγνώρισάς1×
- ἐγνώρισεν1×
- ἐγνώρισαν1×
- ἐγνωρίσαμεν1×
- γνωρίσῃ1×
- γνωρίσω,1×
- γνωρίσουσιν1×
Key Verses
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John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
This verse defines the shift from servant-status to friendship, grounded in Jesus' active disclosure of the Father's heart.
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Ephesians 3:3
how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
Paul highlights that the mystery of Christ was not previously available but is now explicitly revealed to him by divine revelation.
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Colossians 4:7
All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
Tychicus serves as a human conduit, making known the practical realities of Paul's imprisonment so the church remains connected.
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Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
This instruction links prayerful petition with the result of God's peace being made known to the believer's heart.