διαγογγύζω (diagonguzō)
diagonguzō
to murmur
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diagonguzō describes a specific kind of grumbling: muttering complaints among a group rather than shouting them openly. It conveys a low, indignant murmur, often arising from shared dissatisfaction or resentment within a crowd. The word appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Luke’s Gospel, highlighting its use to depict collective discontent.
In Luke 15:2, the Pharisees and teachers of the law murmur against Jesus for welcoming sinners, their quiet complaints revealing their disapproval of his inclusive ministry. Similarly, in Luke 19:7, the crowd grumbles when Jesus chooses to stay at Zacchaeus’s house, showing how this word captures the silent judgment of a group feeling offended by unexpected grace.
Its root combines dia ("through" or "among") with gonguzō ("to mutter"), emphasizing that the complaint circulates privately within the community. This distinguishes it from louder forms of protest; diagonguzō is the sound of whispered disapproval, where grievances are passed along rather than confronted directly.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word describes the quiet, low hum of complaint that spreads through a group when they feel their standards are being challenged. It is not loud protest, but rather the shared muttering of disapproval that happens behind closed doors or in hushed tones among peers. We often encounter this dynamic when we see grace extended to those we believe do not deserve it.
In Luke 15:2 and Luke 19:7, Jesus uses this term to describe how religious leaders reacted to His ministry. They murmured because He welcomed sinners and ate with them. Their quiet complaints revealed a heart that valued reputation and rules over mercy and restoration. This word reminds us to examine the secret judgments we hold against others.
When you feel yourself starting to mutter about someone’s choices or background, pause and consider what is driving that resentment. Is it pride? Fear of contamination? Or perhaps a misunderstanding of God’s heart? Jesus invites us to replace silent judgment with open welcome. May you find freedom in letting go of the need to police who deserves grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were grumbling2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διεγόγγυζον2×
Key Verses
-
Luke 15:2
The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
This occurrence highlights how murmuring arises when religious leaders feel their boundaries are violated by Jesus' inclusion of outcasts.
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Luke 19:7
When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
Here the crowd's murmuring reveals their shock and disapproval at Jesus choosing to stay with a despised tax collector.