διακωλύω (diakōluō)
diakōluō
to hinder
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diakōluō means to obstruct or prevent an action from taking place. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Matthew 3:14, where John the Baptist tries to stop Jesus from being baptized. This single usage highlights a moment of resistance against a divine plan, showing that the word carries the weight of active interference.
Its structure combines a prefix suggesting thoroughness with a root related to limping or stumbling. While some lexicons note this etymology, the primary sense in Scripture is simply to hinder or prevent. John’s attempt illustrates how even well-intentioned actions can clash with God’s timing, making the word a precise tool for describing such divine interruptions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word diakōluō describes the act of hindering or obstructing a course of action. In Scripture, it appears only once, capturing John the Baptist’s instinctive attempt to stop Jesus from being baptized. This moment reveals how even sincere devotion can sometimes resist God’s specific timing and methods.
When we encounter resistance in our own spiritual journeys, this word reminds us that divine plans often unfold in ways that surprise our expectations. What feels like a natural hesitation may actually be an invitation to trust God’s deeper purpose. His way is not always the most obvious path, but it is always right.
This single occurrence invites us to examine where we might be unintentionally hindering God’s work in our lives or around us. It encourages humility and openness to His leading, even when it challenges our comfort or understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was hindering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διεκώλυεν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 3:14
But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where John attempts to prevent Jesus from proceeding with baptism.